Biodiversity in your Backyard (Final)

 This is the Final Article in This Series, I Hope We all have a Better Understanding of the Subject.

In Conclusion...

Biodiversity conservation is not limited to erecting fences around protected areas. 

Everybody can contribute to the protection of local species albeit on a smaller scale. 

One characteristic of species diversity is that it is scale dependent. 

This means that the larger an area is, the more species it can sustain. 

The practical consequence of this is that you can expect to see even more species in your garden if you can convince your neighbour to go the indigenous route. 

And your neighbour's neighbour, and so forth until the whole neighbourhood is converted. 

An indigenous gardening competition may be a good motivator. 

If you are a member of a ward committee, you are in a good position to spread the message. It is worth the try… 

We will be happy to help you get something going in your neighbourhood in Bloemfontein.  Please contact us at:

Our FaceBook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/Bloemparknursery

Or write us an E-Mail to: BloemparkNursery@gmail.com

 Following is a list of books and articles you might want study:




Botha, C. & Botha, J. 2002 Bring nature back to your garden. Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal branch)

Bruzas C. & Bruzas A. 2001 Wildlife on your doorstep. Wildlife Society of Southern Africa (Natal Branch)

Joffe, Pitta 2001 Creative gardening with indigenous plants: A South African guide. Briza, Pretoria

Joffe, Pitta 2003 Easy guide to indigenous shrubs. Briza, Pretoria

Trendler, R. & Hes, L. 1994. Attracting birds to your garden in southern Africa. Struik, Cape Town.
  
Article By: 


Dr Ed Stam, Ecologist, NZG




 

Biodiversity in your Backyard (Cont.6)

How to Lure Birds to your Garden (Cont.)

Fruit-eating birds
 

Fruit eating birds are obviously attracted by fruiting trees.

You can expect some of these birds in your garden:

Tiptol (Bottergat)

•  Mousebirds

• Turacos 

• Parrots 

• Barbets 

• Bulbuls 

• Hornbills and Pigeons

Following is just a few trees that will attract Fruit Eating Birds to your garden.



To mention a few - 

all indigenous fig trees, 

The Tree Fuchsia (Halleria lucida), 

Transvaal Red Milkwood (Moepel, Mimusops Zeyheri), 

Sourplum (Harpephylum caffrum) and 

White Stinkwood

White Stinkwood (Celtis africana) 

all produce highly attractive fruits and berries in abundance. 

 Tomorrow we will discuss Water Birds, Nectar Feeders

Predatory Birds and Mixed Feeders.

Please also visit our FaceBook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/Bloemparknursery 

to be the first to hear about new plants and specials in our nursery.