What is Biodiversity and why is it important?
In a nutshell it is the term used to describe all life on earth and all its variety/diversity.
The greater the variety and number of plants, fungi. Microbe and animal species, the healthier the ecosystem is. A more robust and complex habitat can provide different conditions to suit the needs of a variety of species.
We depend on healthy ecosystems, with our whole society and agricultural systems relying on biodiversity of pollinators and soil organisms.
We are living through a climate crisis with an alarming reduction in biodiversity. It is therefore essential we all do our bit to enhance biodiversity and reverse the tide.
Why are gardens important in enhancing biodiversity:
We are living through a climate and biodiversity crisis, there has been a vast decline in biodiversity over the last 50 years with nearly 1 in 6 species now threatened with extinction. Just over 50% of the UKs biodiversity is left intact! Private gardens across the UK make up just less than 450,000 hectares (that’s a bit more than a fifth the size of Wales). In England gardens make up more than 4 and half times the area of out National Nature Reserves. The private garden is therefore a valuable space to protect and enhance natural biodiversity, playing a vital part in our nature recovery and providing a resource of national significance for thousands of species. Throughout the design stages I will discuss these issues with clients and promote the inclusion of; wildlife ponds, native planting, insect habitats, composters and wormeries, bat and bird boxes, species rich lawns and meadows. I will also discuss the ways in which materials can be reused and repurposed, looking at ethically and locally sourced or reclaimed materials.
10 Ways to Enhance Biodiversity:
- NATIVE TREE PLANTING
- NATIVE SHRUBS AND HEDGEROWS
- ADD WATER
- AVOID CHEMICALS
- PROVIDE HABITATS
- POLLINATOR RICH PLANTING
- COMPOST
- REWILD AREAS
- RETHINKING MOWING
- GREENING INFRASTRUCTURE