Use Native Plants in Landscaping. We need biodiversity, our ecosystem depends on it. The more diverse an ecosystem is, the more services (air, water, food, benign weather systems, carbon dioxide sequestration, garbage recycling etc.) it will provide. Because 54% of the U.S. is now in cities or suburbs, and 41% is in agriculture, biodiversity will have to survive in those areas if it is going to survive at all. Every time we plant an alien plant, we reduce the local insect population and thus deprive the birds and wildlife of the food they need to survive and reproduce. Studies have shown that areas overrun with alien plants produce 35 times less caterpillar biomass, the most popular insect food with birds. Alien plants used in the ornamental trade support 29 times fewer species of caterpillars than native ornamental plants. Utilizing native plants is the best way to support butterflies, moths and birds in your yard. The Association to Preserve Cape Cod has a Native Plant Initiative that list naive Cape Cod plants.
The Weekly Green Tip is provided by Michelle Sgarlat.