Biodiversity in your backyard

Biodiversity is the ‘biological diversity’ (variety and variability) of plants (flora), animals (fauna), fungi and microorganisms (bacteria) that make up our world. Each of these species and organisms work together to support everything in nature that we need to survive food, clean water, medicine, and shelter.

Here in the Barossa region, we have plants and animals local to our area. It’s important and beneficial, when planting to use local species, which in turn provide habitat for our birds, mammals (bats, possums) and insects to flourish.

Some plants are native to South Australia and Australia, but not to this area. We need to be careful that those plants are not too invasive and become competition for our local species. For example, some wattles planted outside their natural ranges can be come weeds, including the Cootamundra Wattle, Golden Wreath Wattle, Flinders Ranges Wattle and Coastal Wattle.

Also, many (exotic) garden plants become ‘garden escapees’ and have the potential to smother native plants, impacting the natural balance of our remnant bushland areas and food resources for our native wildlife.

Check out the species lists provided and visit your local nursery to ensure you get the right plants for the right places and have fun planting.