Biodiversity corridors
Biodiversity is short for biological diversity. It is the variety of all living things in the natural world, both common and endangered. It is not only about the rare or threatened species.
Biodiversity:
- is about more than the number of species living in a place
- is about all the interactions within the same species and between different species
- covers whole communities of plants and animals and the places where they live
The biodiversity that surrounds us provides us with clean air to breath, fresh water to drink, clothes to wear and food to eat. We all need biodiversity to allow us to live our lives.
Biodiversity corridors
Biodiversity corridors are vital, as they provide ‘stepping stones’ through an area. They offer food, shelter and safety for birds, bees, bats, and all types of wildlife.
A bumblebee can only fly for about 40 minutes between feeding stops. So every wildflower you allow to grow, or pollinator-friendly flower, shrub or tree you plant, could be a fuel stop that saves a bumblebee.
Bats need roosting sites, water, and insects to eat. Bat-friendly habitats include:
- rivers
- native trees
- insect friendly planting
Birds need safe nesting sites in trees and hedgerows, and insects, fruit, and seeds for food. Bird-friendly habitats include:
- trees
- native hedgerows
- fruiting trees
- shrubs
- native insect friendly trees
- flowers
Pollinators
Pollinators and other insects need pollen-rich flowers or food, and safe nesting sites.
Our wild pollinators include:
- bumblebees and other bees such as honeybees
- butterflies and moths
- flies and various other insects such as beetles, wasps, and thrips
The decline in wild pollinators is mainly due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation.
Pollinators need flowers to feed from. They need habitats to live in, to lay eggs and for young to feed and develop. So, providing habitat with food sources and shelter will help their survival.
Pollinators are essential for the maintenance of biodiversity and the wider ecosystem.
Having more meadow-like verges and amenity grassland is one way to help pollinators.