Supporting our native neighbors

hmuser
Aug 13
3 min read

Pamela heckel on unsplash

What are native species?

Native species are those that have existed in an area for a long period of time, evolving with the land and becoming a part of its natural cycle. These are species that have adapted to the climate, other species, and even the soil of the environment. The area in which they exist can be as large as an entire continent or be as small as a singular island.

Native species are important to the land and some hold important roles that help to hold ecosystems together. Keystone species like the name indicates are the key to their ecosystem to stay healthy, think of wolves who help to control herbivore populations which otherwise would cause overgrazing destroying the plant life. Another example one may not think of is oysters, they are filter feeders and help to clean and as it suggests filter pollutants out. Without these species entire ecosystems will fall over time, it is important to protect all our species in order to keep our natural lands healthy.

What are major threats to native species?

They’re many threats to our native species including human interaction and introduction to non native species.

Invasive and non-native species: Species introduced or brought in by accident can integrate into an ecosystem however sometimes they pose a major threat to it. These species typically have no natural predator in the new environment allowing populations to thrive and they tend to compete with food with the native species of the area. Some species, such as certain plant species also grow faster or are able to outcompete the native species allowing for them to beat out native species, greatly reducing numbers and threatening them. Around 42% of endangered and threatened native species are caused by invasive species.
Human interaction: pollution, habitat destruction, and other ways humans have altered ecosystems greatly affects our native populations, changing the chemistry of the land and forcing animals into either smaller areas or an increase in animals in human areas which can lead to negative interaction on either side.
Climate change: Climate change greatly affects animals that have long adapted to a specific climate. For example coral reefs, sensitive creatures that have adapted on the oceans climate, however with ocean waters increasing and an increase in acidity from the higher content of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere we are seeing coral reef dying and bleaching, a loss of a major ecosystem not just for the corals but for the rest of the sea lives that have adapted and call these reefs their homes.

Zoshua Colah on unsplash

How can we help?

Planting native species: We can help on small scales by planting native species in our gardens, and using them in farms when creating hedgerows, windbreaks or using them as cover crops. This helps to support our native insects and especially our pollinators.
Education: Becoming aware yourself is important however the next step is to spread this information to others, the more people that are aware of our native species and their current predicaments the more that can be done, additionally learn about organization worldwide and in your area that help with native populations for example:
- The Wildlife Conservation Society
- Oceana
- Xerces
- The Nature Conservancy
- The World Wildlife Fund
Politics: One of the best ways we can protect our native land and species is through legislation, protecting our most vulnerable can be done by writing letters to your local politicians and to become informed on any upcoming laws that may affect native populations.
Controlling invasive populations: Become aware of the invasive species in your area and either help to remove them yourself or if you spot one report it to the appropriate authorities to have it removed.