A wildlife habitat provides food, water, shelter, and space arranged to meet the needs of wildlife. No matter what size, your yard can be landscaped to attract birds, small animals, beneficial insects, and butterflies. Trees, shrubs, and other plants in your yard can provide shelter and food for a wide range of wildlife.
The plants you use for food and cover will help determine the wildlife species attracted to your backyard. Nesting boxes, feeders, and watering sites can be added to improve the attractiveness of your habitat.
Initial planning is an important step in providing an inviting and productive backyard wildlife habitat. Remember that you have both a horizontal area to work with (the surface area of your yard) as well as a vertical area that reaches from the ground to the treetops. This vertical area is made up of four distinct zones: -- the canopy formed at the top of the tallest tree branches -- understory vegetation such as lower tree branches, smaller trees, shrubs, and vines -- the floor which is often dominated by low-growing ground covers such as flowers, grasses, and mosses, and -- the basement where a variety of organisms live in the soil. Different wildlife species call each of these zones home, so a wide range of habitats can be provided on even a small backyard.
Trees and shrubs are the backbone of any landscaping design and are just as important for wildlife. Many tree, shrub and flower species are great sources of food for your local wildlife. A well planned and thought out selection of plants can meet the aesthetic needs of the homeowner as well as the food and shelter needs of wildlife. Remember that YOU are also an integral part of the habitat!
Native and non-native plants Native plants are more helpful to a wildlife habitat than non-native exotic plants. They generally require less fertilizer, less water, and less effort in pest control. Native plants are especially important to native wildlife. Pollinators, such as birds, bees and other beneficial insects may have co-evolved with a particular native plant species. Pollinators often depend upon a certain type of flower as a food source, while the flower depends on the pollinator to transport its pollen to other flowers for reproduction.
Non-native plants in a backyard habitat can damage the delicate balance of the local ecosystem. All too often they can even crowd out native species to the point of extinction. Local wildlife benefit more when native plants remain in place, or are restored to their natural habitats, thus providing the best source of food for local animals. - 30228
The plants you use for food and cover will help determine the wildlife species attracted to your backyard. Nesting boxes, feeders, and watering sites can be added to improve the attractiveness of your habitat.
Initial planning is an important step in providing an inviting and productive backyard wildlife habitat. Remember that you have both a horizontal area to work with (the surface area of your yard) as well as a vertical area that reaches from the ground to the treetops. This vertical area is made up of four distinct zones: -- the canopy formed at the top of the tallest tree branches -- understory vegetation such as lower tree branches, smaller trees, shrubs, and vines -- the floor which is often dominated by low-growing ground covers such as flowers, grasses, and mosses, and -- the basement where a variety of organisms live in the soil. Different wildlife species call each of these zones home, so a wide range of habitats can be provided on even a small backyard.
Trees and shrubs are the backbone of any landscaping design and are just as important for wildlife. Many tree, shrub and flower species are great sources of food for your local wildlife. A well planned and thought out selection of plants can meet the aesthetic needs of the homeowner as well as the food and shelter needs of wildlife. Remember that YOU are also an integral part of the habitat!
Native and non-native plants Native plants are more helpful to a wildlife habitat than non-native exotic plants. They generally require less fertilizer, less water, and less effort in pest control. Native plants are especially important to native wildlife. Pollinators, such as birds, bees and other beneficial insects may have co-evolved with a particular native plant species. Pollinators often depend upon a certain type of flower as a food source, while the flower depends on the pollinator to transport its pollen to other flowers for reproduction.
Non-native plants in a backyard habitat can damage the delicate balance of the local ecosystem. All too often they can even crowd out native species to the point of extinction. Local wildlife benefit more when native plants remain in place, or are restored to their natural habitats, thus providing the best source of food for local animals. - 30228
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When you begin developing your habitat you may want to consider including garden water fountains or garden waterfallsto make your backyard habitat more inviting not only for you and your family but also for your local wildlife.
