Biodiversity can be defined as the variety of different living things in a particular area or region at a particular time. Generally, when we think about biodiversity we picture dense rainforests and exotic animals. However, our region has its own unique plant and wildlife communities that are not found in any other place on earth. Preserving the unique plants and animals of our region will help maintain the health of our local ecosystem and, in turn, support global biodiversity conservation efforts.

Why is Regional Biodiversity Important?
Each species depends on the services provided by other species to ensure survival. This includes humans. It is a type of cooperation based on mutual survival that is often referred to as a balanced ecosystem. If one part of that balanced ecosystem is removed it throws the rest of the system “out of whack.”

Specifically, biodiversity is important because:

• Complex ecosystems with a wide variety of plants and animals tend to be more stable. A highly diverse ecosystem is a sign of a healthy system. 
• Ecosystem services, such as the fresh air, clean water and productive soils that we need to survive are preserved through a bio-diverse plant community.  
• New sources of medicines, food and other plant-derived compounds are continually found in a diverse plant and animal population.
• Diversity allows ecosystems to adapt to changing conditions. Diverse plant and animal communities are better able to survive pest infestations, diseases and changing microclimate conditions.

Native species are the types of plants, animals and insects that have inhabited a given area or region for a long period of time. These native species are what make up our unique regional biodiversity. Native local plants and animals have been evolving together for many years and have developed unique sets of survival relationships.  For example, a native type of fungus only breaks down dead branches from a native type of tree, adding nutrients to the soil that allow a new tree to grow. That tree provides food for native insects and habitat for native birds. The birds eat the insects, and in turn, are eaten by larger birds. If you take any one link in this chain away, the ecosystem changes—and could possibly even collapse.

What Can You Do?
Make a difference and help preserve our unique regional biodiversity through healthy conservation landscaping.