By:Harshitha Manjunath
Why is Biodiversity Important in Your Backyard?
You may be thinking that your backyard doesn’t actually hold any real significance to supporting a greener Earth, but here’s where you might be wrong. Biodiversity is vital to keeping a healthy ecosystem. It is not only important to have in the wilderness but also your backyard. Our backyards play a huge role in the health of our soil which contains microbes that give plants the right and proper nutrients to grow.
Allowing for biodiversity produces healthier trees and plants, absorbing carbon dioxide leaving us with clean air and taking on the climate change issue. There are many pollinators like birds, insects, and bees that contribute to about one third of crop production in the world that do their job much better in biodiverse environments. In this blog post, we'll explore how to increase the biodiversity in your backyard as it contributes to the health of our planet.
Attract Pollinators
To create a more biodiverse backyard planting native plants create a more natural environment for pollinators. By attracting pollinators to do their job. The significance of pollinators is deeply intertwined with our own survival. Around 75% of globally important crops rely on animal pollination, and these crops make up approximately 35% of the world's food production.
Pollinators, including bees, butterflies, beetles, birds, and bats, facilitate the reproduction of plants that serve as food sources for a multitude of animals. This interconnected relationship creates a rich tapestry of biodiversity, where each species relies on the other for survival. Here’s twelve native plants you should plant in your backyard to attract more pollinators:
Daisy
Dandelion
Lavender
Sunflower
Marigold
Dahlia
Borage
Milkweed
Coneflower
Zinnia
Butterfly Bush
Salvia
Just wait and watch all the pollinators flood your backyard!
2. Be Organic
Your backyard is a sanctuary where nature's rhythms play out in a harmonious symphony. However, the use of pesticides can disrupt this delicate balance, causing unintended consequences that extend far beyond your garden's borders. You should consider ditching pesticides and embracing a more natural approach to maintaining your outdoor space. By doing this you aren’t ridding your backyard of insects needed to preserve your backyards biodiversity and health. Pesticides can seep into the soil, disrupting the complex microbial communities that support plant growth. Healthy soil harbors a diverse range of organisms that aid in nutrient cycling, disease suppression, and overall plant vitality. Pesticides can disturb this delicate balance, compromising the long-term health of your garden. A pesticide-free backyard encourages the presence of a diverse range of species, including beneficial insects, birds, and small mammals. This biodiversity fosters a healthier and more resilient ecosystem, helping plants fend off pests naturally and promoting a balanced environment.
3. Create Habitats
Creating habitats in your backyard is a wonderful way to support biodiversity and contribute to the local ecosystem. By providing various elements that mimic natural environments, you can attract a diverse range of species, from insects and birds to small mammals. Enhancing biodiversity involves the creation of diverse habitats, such as ponds, rock arrangements, and stacks of logs, that cater to various forms of wildlife. In scientific terms, this is referred to as "habitat heterogeneity." Essentially, by establishing a range of habitats, you invite a multitude of creatures. There are numerous small actions you can take to establish these areas. For those with limited space, a bird feeder proves to be an excellent addition.Here are some ways creating habitats helps biodiversity in your backyard:
A pile of compost
Planting trees
Building a vegetable garden
Building a flower garden
Use a bird feeder
Create a pile of rocks
Using these techniques, your backyard will flourish with biodiversity.
Incorporating these biodiversity restoration practices into your backyard not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also contributes to the larger ecological balance. As you witness the return of native plants, the melodious songs of birds, and the bustling activity of insects, you'll find a renewed sense of connection to the natural world. By becoming stewards of our own outdoor spaces, we play a vital role in preserving and revitalizing the intricate web of life that surrounds us. Embrace these efforts, and let your rejuvenated backyard stand as a testament to the remarkable resilience of nature and the positive impact of our collective actions.
Sources:
The Royal Society | https://royalsociety.org/topics-policy/projects/biodiversity/why-is-biodiversity-important/#:~:text=Biodiversity%20is%20essential%20for%20the,and%20the%20food%20we%20eat.
Gardener's Path | https://gardenerspath.com/plants/flowers/best-flowers-for-pollinators/
Dogwood Alliance | https://www.dogwoodalliance.org/2023/02/how-to-increase-biodiversity-in-your-backyard-and-garden/
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