Biodiversity

What is Biodiversity?

Biodiversity or Biological diversity is simply the variety of life - all life in all forms.

Biodiversity includes all plants, animals and microorganisms, their genetic material, the variety of species, and the ecosystems of which they are part. It is this variation that allows plants and animals and human beings to adapt to the different climates, soils, waters and other physical aspects of our world. Biodiversity enables ecosystems, landscapes and human settlements to function successfully, providing essential services like air to breathe, clean water, increased soil fertility and structure as well as food and shelter.

What can we do to protect it?

"We don't inherit the earth from our parents, we borrow it from our children." (Kenyan proverb)

Human activity has played a major role in the decline of biodiversity in Coffs Harbour. Land clearing, habitat destruction, introduction of pest species and pollution of land and waters are just some of the factors that have contributed to the loss of biodiversity. Our lifestyle choices significantly impact the web of all life on this planet. Individuals, households and Governments all play an important role in preserving a diversity of life for generations to come. Here are just some of the things we can do at a simple level to help protect biodiversity and build a sustainable future for ourselves and our children:

Plant local natives
Native plants provide food sources and shelter for local wildlife, are adapted to local rainfall levels, and are less susceptible to pests and diseases.
Help control the spread of weeds
environmental weeds are often originate in backyard gardens or by dumping garden clippings into our natural environments. Large infestations destroy important native habitat, degrade waterways, reserves and parkland. They can also cause serious economic loss to agriculture. You can help by removing weeds from your own backyard and using your green waste bin to dispose of garden waste.
Join a Landcare Group - joining a group to help restore bushland, foreshores or creeks is a great way to not only help look after biodiversity, but also a great way to meet new friends.
Bring back wildlife habitat - you could build a frog pond or place nest boxes for birds and possums on your trees. Leave rocks and logs in your garden for lizards and other wildlife and remember never to remove rocks or logs from the native bushland as you might be removing an animal's home.
Use compost, mulch, and worms - grass-clippings, leaves and food wastes can all be broken down in your garden. This will provide nutrients and protection for your plants and reduce the amount of pesticides and fertilisers you need to use.
Take responsibility for family pets - to help protect our local wildlife, preserve biodiversity, and to avoid polluting our footpaths and waterways we need to take responsibility for our pets. For example, make sure your cat wears three bells; that you always pick up after your dog, and that your animals are microchipped, registered, desexed, wormed regularly, and kept in at night.
Avoid pesticides and chemicals in your garden - birds, frogs and reptiles can become sick or die if they feed on insects sprayed with some pesticides. Look for natural alternatives such as planting insect deterring plants or companion planting.
Consider your purchases carefully - buy products that can be reused or recycled and have minimal packaging. Also consider where the materials came from to make the products you purchase - were they mined, is the timber from a rainforest or plantation?

By making simple changes to our lifestyle we can continue to enjoy the biodiversity in our area and in turn will have clean air, fertile soils and unpolluted creek to pass on to our children.

Image courtesy of Escapism Photography