Backyard Wildlife Primer
(Page 4 of 14)
September/October 1986
By Raymond Zoanetti and the Mother Earth News editors
* Existing wildlife. What kinds of wildlife have you seen recently? Where and when have you seen it? Are there areas that seem particularly populated with — or devoid of — birds, animals, amphibians, insects? If you observe nests, game trails, or other signs of wildlife use, note their locations. Some backyard wildlife managers keep a continuing log of wildlife sightings, recording new residents, visits from migratory species, seasonal population fluctuations, and other data.
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Your analysis of your land can be as comprehensive as you wish. But the real point of this process is not so much to produce detailed maps and species inventories as it is to provide a useful planning tool: a "before" picture that can serve as a starting point from which to build more useful and varied habit at.
Planning and Planting
The single most important element in wildlife habitat is vegetation; plants can provide food, cover, and reproductive sites, and — because they collect dew, as well as prevent erosion and control runoff — they also contribute substantially to water resources. If your land is already in a near-natural state, with a wide variety of trees, shrubs, flowers, and herbs, you're way ahead — your main job as a wildlife manager may be simply not to do anything to destroy the existing habitat. But if you're like most landowners, there are at least some areas on your property that will benefit from additional plantings.
As you study your maps and attempt to design a layout for plantings, keep the following in mind:
* Vegetative diversity is the key to good habitat. The more kinds of plants you use to provide food, cover, and reproductive areas for wildlife, the more kinds of wildlife you will attract. This means varying not only the species of plants, but basic physical types of vegetation and growing areas: tall trees mixed with smaller trees and shrubs; open spaces blended with closed, thickly planted areas; bramble patches bordered by meadowlike grassy expanses (including lawns). Combined, these create a pleasing, natural, supportive landscape. Be sure to include as many food-bearing plants as possible, in enough variety to assure an adequate supply of edible fruit, nuts, and seeds throughout the year.
Trees can be used to provide the right environment for a multitude of birds and animals, but of course require time to mature. If you're starting with an open lot, a good first step is to plant trees around the perimeter of your property, to eventually serve as a frame for lower-growing vegetation. If you already have older trees on your property, consider augmenting them with additional trees and with an understory of smaller, shade-tolerant species such as redbud, dogwood, and beech. Deciduous species are important because, once they mature, they provide fruit, nuts, seeds, or berries for a large variety of birds and mammals. Conifers, on the other hand, supply food for fewer types of wildlife . . . but grow more quickly and provide vital thermocover, or protection from snow and frigid winds.
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