Best 7 Tips for Creating Biodiversity in a Concrete Yard
Having access to outside space for millions can be a real luxury, and for many that outside space possibly consists of a small yard with nothing but concrete underfoot. You shouldn’t feel disheartened, however – even the grimmest of backyards can be turned into a haven of biodiverse additions designed to attract insect life and help to rebalance the environment.
Starting with the foundations, it is not necessary to spend vast amounts of money digging up the concrete ground and replanting grass. Go easy on yourself and lay down an artificial lawn. Premium artificial grass in the UK is fully recyclable, and once laid not only will it give you a soft and textured ground covering, but it is also fully permeable and will not require any maintenance, allowing you to concentrate fully on creating your biodiverse haven. From this foundation, you can create biodiversity with an array of pots and planters.
Select native plants
By choosing native plants, you not only guarantee their adaptation to the local climate and soil types, but you also support local businesses and reduce their carbon footprint. Local insects and birdlife naturally feed on indigenous plants.
try to incorporate different ‘layers’
Spread across your pots and planters, try and integrate several different types of plants, including small shrubs and trees to provide habitats for different birds and animals.
Create a pond
Creating some kind of water feature is essential for increasing the biodiversity of your outside space. It can be as small and simple as a birdbath, or larger and more complex. The water would not only give the bird life somewhere to cool down and spruce themselves up – it would also attract frogs and newts, dragonflies, and hoverfly larvae.
Impose a complete ban on pesticides and herbicides
Chemicals are a death sentence for biodiversity. Their complete ban is the whole raison d’etre of creating a biodiverse environment. While the use of pesticides gives manmade control over the environment, going back to what nature is intended for will ensure that your garden evolves its own completely self-regulating ecosystem.
Waste not want not
The creation of a simple compost corner is not only a great place to get rid of your old vegetable and fruit peelings, tea and coffee granules, eggshells, and other vegetative matter, but it can also become the perfect habitat for worms, beetles flies, and worms.
Nest boxes galore
You can never have too many nest boxes. As your biodiverse environment matures and attracts insects, it will also begin to attract the local bird life. You can do your own research as to what types of next boxes to install, as different species will be attracted to different types. Place them in high-up positions, preferably out of the reach of the local cat population.
Plant for pollinators
Insect pollination is a crucial element in the creation of a biodiverse environment. In fact, it is estimated that over 80 percent of crops, and over 80 percent of wildflowers rely on insect pollination.
Unfortunately, the use of pesticides, intensive farming techniques, and the urbanization of the countryside have caused a massive decline in the amount of pollinators, such as bees and hoverflies.
Focusing your planting program on plants that attract the bees is crucial to rebalancing this devastating loss to our ecosystem.
No matter how small and built up, your outside life can become a veritable haven for all that is good and essential to the creation of a vibrant and biodiverse ecosystem. Have fun, experiment, and the only mistake you’ll make is not getting started.
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