5
s
Ecosystem
Each species performs a
specific role in the
ecosystem that directly
benefits other living things,
including people.
A good example is that
squirrels help forests
continue to grow. The
squirrels bury acorns for
food but fail to dig all of
them up, so the acorn
sprouts and produces a new
oak tree.
Other birds and animals
scatter seeds throughout
the landscape. Blue jays are
especially important in long
distance dispersal of
acorns and beechnuts. They
carry them to distant
locations and bury the nuts
in soft earth or under
leaves.
A Virginia study shows
that 50 blue jays
transported 150,000
acorns in one month. Some
of the acorns were retrieved
by the jays and eaten later
in the year. But, many were
left to regenerate the
forest!
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Lawn Maintenance
One unfortunate carry-over
from our European
ancestors is our love-affair
with lawns.
England, in particular, has
marvelous expanses of
green grass which we in this
country have tried, with
varying degrees of success,
to copy.
Unfortunately, we neglected
to take into account the
fact that those English
lawns were frequently
maintained by crews of hired
gardeners, and that their
lush green color was due in
large part to the damp,
temperate climate.
Lawns in this country are
not only non-beneficial for
wildlife, they can even be
harmful. We use huge
quantities of water to keep
grass green – even in areas
where the water supply is
limited – and we spray it
with all sorts of chemicals
which are toxic to wildlife.
These poisons gradually
enter the water table and
wash into the watershed, so
that all wildlife, including
humans, is eventually
affected.
In addition, lawns displace
plants which could otherwise
provide food and cover for a
variety of wildlife.
Songbirds don’t even like to
fly over large expanses of
short grass because they
are so vulnerable to
predators, and instead will
make shorter flights from
trees to shrubs or other
plants around the perimeter
of a large lawn.
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Food Production
Humans and wildlife would
both agree that fresh,
local food is preferred.
When planting a garden,
plant enough to share
with others, rather than
depending on pesticides
and other deterrents
which make the gardening
experience less pleasant
and less healthful for you,
too.
For instance, bronze fennel
looks lovely in the herb
garden, and also provides
a host plant for
swallowtail caterpillars.
If you plant fruiting shrubs
and provide a water
source, you will attract
birds and toads which will
thank you by eating many
of the non-beneficial bugs
in your garden.
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Pollution Control and
Climate Moderation
When planning your
landscape, think about all
the ways (including shade
and windbreak mentioned
earlier) in which your
choices can help you
moderate your own
microclimate.
The young and growing minds of children will thrive in your
wildlife habitat. They will experience the natural world and
learn from it.
Do your landscaping for wildlife as a family project. Let
the children help plant and take care of trees, shrubs,
and flowers. Show them the eggs and nests of birds and
baby rabbits and let them fill bird feeders.
Think of your landscaping as nature’s classroom and
your kids and their friends as students
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