Category: Wildlife and Biodiversity

Supporting and managing wildlife in pond ecosystems

A landscaped wildlife pond with vibrant aquatic plants, a cascading waterfall, and a wooden bench, creating a tranquil backyard oasis surrounded by native wildflowers.

Create a Backyard Oasis: The Ultimate Wildlife Pond Guide

Plan your pond carefully, choosing a location with partial shade and avoiding trees that shed lots of leaves. Dig the pond in tiers or shelves of varying depths to accommodate different aquatic plants and provide diverse habitats. Use a pond liner made of durable, flexible material like EPDM rubber to create a watertight seal. Incorporate natural elements like rocks, logs and marginal plants to create a balanced ecosystem that attracts wildlife and blends seamlessly into your landscape.
Planning Your Wildlife Pond
Choosing the Right Location
When choosing the perfect spot for your backyard wildlife pond, consider …

A colorful and diverse pond ecosystem showcasing aquatic plants, fish, insects, and visiting birds under a clear blue sky, representing a rich biodiversity.

7 Simple Steps to Measure the Biodiversity in Your Pond or Water Garden

Biodiversity is the incredible variety of life on Earth, from towering trees to microscopic microbes. But how do scientists measure this staggering diversity of species in ecosystems around the world? Quantifying biodiversity is essential for understanding the health of our planet and identifying areas in need of protection. By counting the number of species, analyzing genetic variation, and calculating ratios like species evenness and richness, researchers can put hard numbers to nature’s complexity. This data-driven approach reveals critical insights about the state of global biodiversity – and what we must do to preserve it …

A lush backyard filled with native plants, a small pond with birds bathing, and natural brush piles creating a thriving wildlife habitat.

Transform Your Backyard into a Wildlife Wonderland: 5 Simple Habitat Hacks

Plant native vegetation to provide food, shelter and nesting sites for birds, insects and other wildlife. Include a diverse mix of trees, shrubs, grasses and flowering plants native to your region. Build brush piles and rock piles to create additional cover and shelter for small animals, lizards and beneficial insects. Add a backyard pond or bird bath as a water source for wildlife, ensuring it has shallow areas accessible to small creatures. Leave some areas of your yard a bit “wild” with fallen leaves, logs and natural debris to mimic natural habitats …