Restoring Biodiversity

restoring Fynbos
Restoring the Garry Oak ecosystems
- shrunk by more than 95% since the time of European Contact
- burning, weeding, planting, herbivore exclusion
restoring non-plant species
Examples of restoring habitat for biodiversity
- -salmon -food sources -riparian zones -"green" and "blue" routes to allow amphibians and other animals to access ponds? (Connectivity) -animals that act as ecosystem engineers (eg. beavers) -daylighting streams in the city -plant more native plants to support birds
how can we restore habitat in cities?
- planting to attract certain species
- not mowing between highway lanes
- more permeable surfaces
- parks
- pollinator patch
- rooftop gardens
- remove invasives
- green infrastructure
- hedges
- yard forest (shrubs, and other plants)
- allowing wild flowers and weeds to grow (not invasive)
- Retain trees as wildlife snags or tree features like hollows that are beneficial for wildlife
- Protecting streams, and incorporating into city planning rather than remove/redirect
- create greenways planted with native species that could also function as wildlife corridors
- Reduce pesticide and rodenticide use in cities
- more soil space
- effective waste management - prevent algal blooms

Ecological Function