Biodiversity (the number and variety of life forms) is crucial to the health and resiliency of any ecosystem and its inhabitants. However, biodiversity frequently suffers as urban development replaces native habitat. This doesn’t need to be the case. Residential and commercial landscapes can be designed to provide food, water, and shelter to encourage and protect native wildlife by
- creating diverse plantings
- choosing California natives
- providing food, water, and shelter
- eliminating the use of pesticides
- conserving/restoring natural areas
Diversify plantings
A diverse landscape provides habitat for wildlife. In addition a diverse landscape resists pests and diseases better than those with little diversity. Provide a wide variety of plants:
- annuals, biennials and perennials
- different sizes, shapes, colors, textures, bloom times, canopy
- levels, and root zones
- evergreens and deciduous
- fruit and berry bearing
Also consider:
- starting with a trial zone and increasing the diversity over time
- converting a lawn (or part of a lawn) that no one uses with a
- diverse border avoid planting invasive species since they often destroy habitat.
- remove invasive weeds
Choose California natives first
Local wildlife is well-adapted to local native plants. Therefore it’s best to choose them first. Other California native plants that match the microclimate are also good choices. Another benefits of native plants is that they require less water, fertilizers, and maintenance than non-natives. When planting natives:
- select a variety of species that match the microclimate of the site
- group flowering species in dense stands of at least 16 square feet (rather than planting isolated single plants) to attract native pollinators
- let some plants go to seed for food for wildlife
Provide water & shelter
Provide nesting sites, shelter, and clean fresh water to encourage wildlife. But be careful not to create breeding sites for mosquitoes. Here are a few suggestions:
- Put in a birdbath — but be sure to change the water at least every few days
- Include a pond or water feature, with circulating water and/or fish (solar powered pumps will reduce energy consumption)
- Including rockwalls and boulders as design elements will also provide habitat
- Install birdhouses in secure locations
- Consider leaving wood materials or downed trees in place if they don’t threaten structures or parking areas or create a fire hazard
Pesticides kill not only the targeted pest species, but also the beneficial organisms that keep pests under control. They are also harmful to the native wildlife.
- use pesticides sparingly and as a last resort
- implement good integrated pest management practices (IPM)
- read the label on every pesticide (including naturally-derived pesticides) for toxicity to non-target organisms
Conserve or restore natural areas & wildlife corridors
Careful site planning, especially for new development along with the urban-wild interface, is important for protecting biodiversity. Natural areas and corridors increase habitat and range, supporting a diversity of organisms and allowing them to travel safely between sites.
- become familiar with local open space requirements
- limit earthwork and clearing of vegetation
- on developed sites, restore open space by planting native vegetation
- build in wildlife corridors adjacent to open spaces, wildlands, and creeks
- consider corridors when building roads and fencing
