 Planting
for biodiversity
If you have a small space to plant trees and shrubs around your
site, e.g. the car park, office or factory entrance, it is an opportunity
to do something for biodiversity. By selectively planting native
species of plants, which provide a source of food or shelter for
some local insects, animals and birds, you will be making a positive
contribution to biodiversity
What you can do
1. Plant Native species
Native plants in Britain are those that were already present before
the formation of the English Channel. 'Introduced' species or 'alien’
species originate from places other than Britain and have usually
been transported here by humans.
As woods and hedgerows disappear, so too do the familiar creatures
of the British landscape. All too often this is purely because their
habitats - the plants on which they depend for the necessities of
life - have been removed.
Insects, birds and other animals cannot survive without the food
and shelter that plants provide. Native plants usually offer far
more to our native wildlife than introduced plants. This is strikingly
illustrated by examining native trees, such as oak or hawthorn,
and introduced species like horse chestnut and 'London' plane. Few
insects or other invertebrates will be found on the introduced species
and its leaves will be virtually untouched, whereas by comparison
a native tree harbours innumerable invertebrates.
Planting native species has additional practical advantages as
well as benefiting biodiversity:
• Local plants are adapted to local soils and climate and
have low maintenance requirements.
• Once established, native plants usually withstand long periods
of dry weather.
• Many will grow in difficult areas with little or no need
for fertilizer.
• Local plants are the essence of regional identity and preserve
the character of the English countryside.
For more information and advice on native species visit:
The Flora
for Fauna page from the Natural History Museum Web site to discover
the plants local to your area.
The
Flora Locale website for a one-stop-shop for information on
native plant seed collections, propagation and ecological restoration.
Flora locale is a charity that promotes the conservation and enhancement
of native flora.
The Native
Tree Shop website run by the Woodland
Trust allows the public to buy British native trees over the
internet.
The
local BAP map on the UK
BAP website to find the contact details of your local Biodiversity
Officer. You should also consider how your action will integrate
into the Local Biodiversity Action Plan and UK Biodiversity Action
Plan.
2. Monitor biodiversity outcomes
Monitoring the biodiversity impacts of the planting is important
for the effective management of planting programmes. For more information
on monitoring see the monitoring and
reporting page
3. Involve your Employees
Getting employees involved in biodiversity conservation projects
could lead to wider conservation benefits with employees engaging
with the issues in there free time. See the Employee
Engagement page for more information.
Gardening with wildlife in mind is a very positive step that individuals
can take. Companies can encourage employees to get involved with
conservation issues outside of work. English Nature have produced
a leaflet on getting started with planting different habitats. Click
here to view the leaflet.
Photo credit: Josef Krecek, Forest of Bohemia
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