Biodiversity and Wildlife
Biodiversity is the
scientific term for the variation of wildlife such
as plants, animals, insects and all other living things.
You can appreciate biodiversity when walking through the
countryside, by a river or in a forest. As well as making the
space around us look attractive by providing the variety of colours
in plants and the different tasks carried out by animals,
biodiviersity has other important roles.
Biodiversity has enabled us over
time to create crop species which are ideally suited to their
environment with a particular climate, soil and disease
level. In the same way we have enhanced breeds of
agricultural animals which have the best meats, skins, milks and
wool. This would not have been possible without biodiversity
and by conserving it wisely we can ensure that future
generations have the same benefits. Biodiversity has
already helped us make many medicines and could hold future ones
that are unknown at the moment.
Ecosystems, which are made up
from layers of biodiversity also provide essential services like
recycling oxygen, purifying water, forming soil and other processes
we need to live, farm and produce many goods.
Many species (and biodiversity as
a whole) are under threat right now as the population of the
world increases and more land is needed to live on and use for
farming and industry. Some predictions are that one eighth of
all plant species may become extinct in the next 20 years of we
don't take some steps to help biodiversity survive the development
we need.
You may already be aware that
some species like the panda, tigers and rhinos are rare or may even
become extinct and think that you can not do anything to help, but
there are some species in the United Kingdom that are rarer than
they use to be and you can help to save them.
Doing Your Bit
- To encourage biodiversity in your local
area one of the simplest things to do is have a garden or
allotment that provides an inviting habitat to wildlife.
One feature of this could be to have a pond and some shaded
areas to provide a variety of environments which will encourage the
same variety of wildlife. Even a small patio or balcony can
be used.
- You could use plants which are native to your
area, depending on the soil and climate, which may otherwise be
threatened by farming.
- Someone in your family could keep track of the
animals that come in your garden, this information is often helpful
for scientists to understand what level biodiversity is at in each
area.
- Buying organic food can also help biodiversity
and wildlife in a wider area. Organic food is grown without
using pesticides, fertilisers and other chemicals which can effect
biodiversity.
- You could volunteer for nature conservation work
locally
What the
Council is doing
The council has set itself targets
for conserving and protecting biodiversity, the Biodiversity Action
Plan, which you can
view.
Contact the Biodiversity Officer on 023 8068 8352 for more
details.
Links
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Page Last Updated: 7/18/2008
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Eastleigh Borough Council, Civic Offices, Leigh Road, Eastleigh, SO50 9YN
Telephone: 023 8068 8068, Fax: 023 8064 3952, Text: 07797 877001
Email:
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