nurturing nature's wounds

Looking at different ways biodiversity makes itself apparent and how people can help

by avery anderson bathroom editor

Since elementary school, we’ve been taught that the sky is blue and the grass is green. So, when it came time to draw homes for an art project, each child fought over the same shade of green crayon to draw a flat, one-dimensional lawn identical to each of our classmates. However, in reality, nature is not just a single shade of green; grass is not meant to be cut a uniform length and each yard is not meant to look indistinguishable.

The prospect of biodiversity is often one that is overlooked, as we have become so accustomed to seeing the same uninspired lawns in every neighborhood. Kentucky bluegrass, the most common yard grass in America, is an invasive and aggressive form of grass which has taken over parts of Northern Great Plain grasslands it is not native to. Kentucky bluegrass simply does nothing for the environment or physical attributes of your lawn. It creates an artificial cookie cutter effect for lawns across America and promotes overwatering to obtain its contrived hue, limiting the planting of more eco-friendly species.

In addition to overusing the horridly bland Kentucky bluegrass, the overplanting and consumption of corn has become a wildly dangerous and pressing issue in America. Water and soil pollution are a direct result of the amount of pesticides and other fumes used to grow corn, and soil erosion from the crop prohibits the ability to plant anything eco-friendly. A majority of corn is used to make high fructose corn syrup, a sugary and unhealthy substance that only aids in fueling a cycle of unhealthy habits and plas- tic pollution. Because of the vast amount of pesticides used on corn, it is possible that traces of these chemicals may be found in high fructose corn syrup. This amount may increase over time.

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Fortunately, though the issue of a mass loss of biodiversity is a pressing one, not all hope is lost. Since biodiversity can be applied to any ecosystem, neighborhoods are a great place to increase biodiversity, even if it’s just your front yard.

1.9 square km 1 3 <4% backyard may also save your garden from being munched on. Even stacking logs, sticks and stones can provide shelter for chipmunks and even snakes. Not cutting down dead trees (that are not at risk for causing harm to humans or buildings) can serve to protect and house species of owls, woodpeckers and hawks.

Though it may seem like gardening won’t solve all the world's problems, just increasing the plant, insect and animal population can cause a trickle-down effect of biodiversity in your community.

Missouri, though typically a state not associated with mass quantities of flora and fauna, is, in reality, a state flourishing with rare and native wildlife. One example is the ruby-throated hummingbird, which is native only to Missouri. It is species like this that are integral in the inner workings of the Missouri ecosystem. Planting Columbine, a type of flower, is great for attracting hummingbirds to your backyard. It is a much more environmentally friendly alternative to plastic hummingbird feeders.

Even exchanging your typical green grass for a mixture of creeping thyme or corsican mint and a variety of other plants can make your yard a haven for any type of wildlife and help to diversity your lawn, getting away from the drab and worn out Kentucky bluegrass.

Of course, altering your backyard or yard isn’t the only way you can increase biodiversity. If want to support conservation efforts in Missouri, consider joining the efforts of The Nature Conservancy’s mission to increase biodiversity. TNC workers burn over 3,000 acres of land in Missouri every year in a process called prescribed fires. Started by Indigenous peoples, these fires help to eliminate invasive species and have been a practice used for thousands of years around the globe. They also work to preserve natural areas around Missouri, focusing on areas like the Osage planes in an attempt to conserve what is left.

Nectar plants such as the butterfly weed or bush are also organisms that are successful in attracting pollinators. If hands-on gardening isn’t your jam, building bird and bat houses are an alternative that will garner similar results. Though bats are often associated with disease, they are crucial in the Missouri ecosystem. Bats eat mosquitoes and beetles, both menaces to both people and crops. It is estimated that bats eat enough crop devouring pests to save $1 billion in damage each year, so housing them in your p

The biggest takeaway increasing biodiversity should have is an appreciation of nature. Take the time to admire just how incredible nature is and let it motivate you to help protect it as much as possible. With the little natural and untouched land the world has left, it is important to reflect on the importance of flora and fauna and just how crucial each and every organism is for the health of our planet and environmet.