Biodiversity is a term many of us are familiar with, but what exactly does it mean? Why is it important, and how can we cultivate it within our own backyards? Simply put, it’s all about creating healthy ecosystems that have beneficial effects – purifying the air, maintaining healthy soil, cleaning and filtering water. The smooth running of these natural processes supports varying lifecycles and, ultimately, provides us with food and resources. Owing to the changing climate and resultant seasonal shifts, these natural processes are increasingly facing disruption, making how we manage our outside spaces even more important.
Simple changes such as and will entice more beneficial insects to your yard, in turn bolstering the overall ecosystem. Similarly, providing extra habitat and shelter for invertebrates and mammals can help to improve natural pest control. We’ve talked to leading industry experts and landscape designers to find out exactly what we can change in our gardens, because knowing how to boost biodiversity is much simpler than you may think.
It doesn't take much to broaden the different types of wildlife attracted to your patch or increase the frequency of their visits. Growing a wide range of favorite food sources - including nectar rich plants, fruiting trees, berry laden shrubs - and creating a diverse number of natural habitats, such as ponds, rock gardens, woodland areas, will have a huge impact. Below, garden industry professionals have shared seven simple.