Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the proliferation of many species, and is important to maintain the ecological systems that are delicately balanced on our planet. Each species interacts with many others, and their numbers expand and contract based on how favourable the environment is for them.
Once a species becomes extinct, it reduces the stability of the ecosystems making them more vulnerable to extreme weather events. Species that relied for food or for support on the one that became extinct will need to adapt to other species, and this will cause pressure across the environment, perhaps even leading to the collapse of other species.
Tranisiton Newcastle would like to plan to protect biodiversity.
Groups or individuals may wish to add a comment (Just register first) about how we can protect biodiversity in our community eg. better town planning to protect wetlands and wildlife corridors; higher density living so that there is less pollution in rural areas; reduce greenhouse gases thereby preventing large temperature increase that threaten species; use renewable energy
Please supply some details of what you would like to see and how it would work in your community or in broader areas.
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Comments
Non-indigenous food
we would need to produce non-indigenous food varieties as well, which
if grown in a Permaculture manner, does not require as much intensive
cultivation as the mono-cultural agri-business or smaller food bed
approach by householders.
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Planting by postcode
Loss of habitat is the biggest reason for loss of biodiversity. To recreate that lost habitat, household gardens need to be seen as part of the national estate, with legislation to enforce "planting by postcode", that is, planting specifically indigenous plants. (A proportion of one's garden could be kept as a 'sacrifice' zone for vegetables and chooks etc.)
How housholds used the plants would be a completely personal choice. People would not necessarily have to create what some people might think of as the messy look of native gardens -- local plants could be used to create formal gardens.
Not only would "Planting by Postcode' encourage native wildlife, the limited palette of local flora would create unified, distinctive and beautiful suburbs, and help to build a regional landscape and culture.
Would love to hear what others think.
Planting indigenous plants in local bands
Christine,
Interesting idea - it would certainly assist native fauna and flora, and it could contribute to enhance bushtucker foods, which do not require much maintenance nor water.
To support the large population in Australia though, we would need to produce non-indigenous food varieties as well, which if grown in a Permaculture manner, does not require as much intensive cultivation as the mono-cultural agri-business or smaller food bed approach by householders.
Permaculture is a whole system of sustainable living which cares for people, the earth and shares the surplus, and includes a lot more than just growing food.
In growing food, it can use companion and sacrificial planting in specially design guilds of multiple varieties of compatible plants, with symbiotic systems of animals and plants eg. chooks in mobile "tractor" cages and that can prepare the ground for planting, and with natural pest control by enhancing the environment to attract birds and beneficial insects.
This approach enhances bio-diversity, and encourages native species to flourish eg. by not using pesticides that interfere with the ecosystem.