Biodiversity: what, why and, above all, how?

Biodiversity is indispensable in ecosystems, but it also contributes to prosperity, culture, social well-being, etcetera. In this blog, we address the what, why and especially the “how” of biodiversity.
What is that?
biodiversity?
All scientific approaches aside, biodiversity is the variety of species of plants, animals (and microorganisms). Through mutual cooperation, including in the food pyramid, they together form all kinds of ecosystems. In the context of public spaces in municipalities, you find biodiversity in the soil, water and air in parks, green spaces, waterways and other natural or constructed habitats.
Why biodiversity?
A complex interplay
Promoting biodiversity within built-up areas can provide ecological benefits such as improved air and water quality and increased resilience to climate change. A healthy balance with many species also prevents problems such as nuisance from the oak processionary caterpillar. Municipalities play an important role in protecting and enhancing biodiversity by creating diverse green spaces, creating connections between green spaces and engaging citizens in conservation efforts.
But also…
What you don’t easily realize….
Regions are identified by distinctive landscapes. The diversity of plants, animals and habitats contributes essentially to the shaping of cultural and often historic landscapes and thus to the identity of communities. Biodiversity has a positive impact on the social cohesion and well-being of communities. Green spaces provide space for recreation, sports and relaxation. Community-based projects around conservation and biodiversity promotion provide a sense of belonging, involvement and social interaction. Biodiversity is the indispensable foundation of many economic activities and sectors, including agriculture, recreation and tourism. Without biodiversity, there is no soil fertility and pollination of crops. Without greenery less or no food, tourism and recreation.
Biodiversity checklist
What can you do?
Hang a bat box, sow a strip of wildflowers and mow less intensively. Will you be there? What else can you do? In this post, we list several things you can check off to work on your biodiversity.
Create a flowering calendar
Year-round nutrition for animals
Nectar and pollen are important food sources for many beneficial insects. In June there are plenty of choices for bees, but between October and April you need to apply special varieties to keep bees well-fed going into winter and coming out. Flower bulbs are often a good solution in this. Consider the following species:
  • Winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis): blooms in January-March
  • Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis): blooms in January-March
  • Wild crocus (Crocus tommasinianus): blooms in February-March
  • Spring Snowbell (Leucojum vernum): blooms in February-March
  • Starting in March, the choice is very large with, for example, (botanical) tulips, daffodils and wood hyacinth.
Provide perennial beds near the bulbs so that the perennials can seamlessly take over the food supply from the bulbs. Gereniums are one of the best options for offering plenty of nectar to insects early on. If you create a flowering calendar, think about the birds right away: apply berry bearers, as well as wildflowers for seeds; an important food source in the fall and early winter months.
Nesting Sites
And shelters
Trees and plants are the natural nesting and hiding places of birds, small mammals and, of course, insects. Nesting boxes are good, but diverse planting is better! And be restrained with maintenance: mowing before winter takes away all shelter, but mow well before the breeding season begins!
Maintenance
Rather a little less
Blooming flowers are often still decorative. In the process, animals extract seeds from it and nest and shelter in it. Therefore, mow in early spring rather than in the fall. And when you mow down perennials in March, use a mulcher so the clippings inhibit weed growth and replenish the plant.
Choose or share?
Balance between visual and natural
The ecologist will recommend stopping pruning, seeding, planting, sweeping, etc. Then an ecosystem naturally builds up. But does man want that? Unswept streets with weeds and leaves? Unmowed parks? A little of both works best: keep everything in direct view a little more “tidy,” but keep the grass further out a little taller and don’t remove leaves and branches there too quickly. Thus, there is something good and something beautiful for everyone.
All vegetation layers
AND underground
Trees, shrubs and perennials and herbs/wildflowers. All are essential for good biodiversity. And don’t forget underground. And we don’t just mean the bulbs, but the whole soil health.
Designing with corridors
Large green spaces to pocket parks
Bees, bats, squirrels, they all need a large habitat, where nesting and foraging sites are often far apart. Make sure these are connected. With flowers, you can quickly create “stepping stones” of flowering beds. Provide a main structure of larger parks, and a finer structure of small “tiny forests” and “pocket parks.
Indigenous?
Or moving with the climate?
Oy, a tricky discussion with many conflicting arguments. Native species fit best in local ecosystems, but there are other “ecologically appropriate” species. In the process, our changing climate requires new sorting choices. We offer from both bulbs, wildflowers and perennials both native to exotic species and mixtures. Together, we make the right choices for the intended application.
Collaboration
Growth through sharing
Collaboration with various stakeholders, including local nature organizations, scientists, businesses and citizens opens new possibilities and strengthens the outcome. Educational programs in schools, citizen workshops, and informational signs in green spaces contribute to this. Are there any foreign townships? Then look across the border as well. International initiatives and networks are wonderful opportunities to exchange knowledge. And of course: work with your suppliers. Leverage their knowledge and broad experience.

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We do our best, but…

Flower Your Place has a full focus on supplying the best products and offering great customer service. But we are humans and we work with natural products which grow in different conditions and climates. Our customers luckily understand thay things can happen due to for example wheather contitions or product availability, but we use this page to ‘formalise’ this.

Please be aware that sizes, colours, flowering times and other specifications can differ due to climate, weather and other external influences. Flower Your Place makes no warranties of any kind, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability or suitability of the information in all our communication, including this website and the documentation linked to from this website, for any purpose. Prices mentioned on this website include planting (accept for flower seeds), excluding VAT. Delivery is subject to availability. Flower Your Place always has the right to cancel an order.

Mechanically planting of flower bulbs / flower bulb mix can only be done in closed sod. The smallest plant width is 0.50 m. The planting depth depends on the size of the bulb – approx. twice the diameter of the bulb – The surface should be relatively flat and free of stones, rubble and roots. The lawn should be mowed and moist before planting. You provide one or two employees who can refill the machine during the planting process and arrange for any reworking. The flower bulbs are delivered to you in advance. You take care of the transport of the flower bulbs from the storage to the planting site.

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