Native Landscape Benefits

Native Landscape Benefits in Maryland

Maryland’s native landscapes play a vital role in sustaining healthy ecosystems. By planting native trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and grasses, we create habitat that supports diverse wildlife and provides essential ecosystem services. Native plants have co-evolved with local fauna – they offer food and shelter for animals, require less water and chemicals, and even improve soil and water quality . In fact, University of Maryland Extension advises gardeners to “plant native plants” because they furnish natural food sources and cover for birds, small mammals, butterflies, and other beneficial insects . Through these rich plant-animal relationships, native gardens promote biodiversity, enhance pest control, boost pollination, and protect water quality in our region .

Below, we explore how eight major faunal groups – Bats, Fish, Small Animals, Large Animals, Birds, Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths), Reptiles, and Amphibians – benefit from native plantings and, in turn, contribute to Maryland’s ecosystem services. Each group’s well-being is intertwined with native flora, underscoring why restoring and gardening with natives is so valuable for Maryland’s environment.

Bats

Bats are often called “nature’s pest control,” and Maryland’s bats live up to that title. All ten bat species found in Maryland are insect-eaters, feasting exclusively on night-flying insects . A single bat can eat hundreds of mosquitoes and crop pests in one evening . Collectively, these winged mammals provide an enormous service to agriculture and public health – a U.S. Geological Survey study found that insect-eating bats save U.S. farmers over $3.7 billion per year in pest control by consuming moths, beetles, stink bugs, and other pests . For example, a summer colony of just 150 big brown bats can devour roughly 1.3 million insects annually . By planting native vegetation that supports abundant insects (their food source), we indirectly support bat populations. In turn, bats help keep nightly insect swarms in check, reducing garden and farm pests naturally. Homeowners can even encourage bats by installing bat houses and conserving tree cover; in return, bats will patrol the night skies for mosquitoes , providing chemical-free pest reduction in Maryland neighborhoods.  Learn more here.

Fish

For fish and aquatic life, native plants are a lifeline. Along Maryland’s streams and rivers, native trees and shrubs form riparian buffers that filter polluted runoff and prevent erosion, leading to clearer, cleaner water for fish. These streamside forests also provide critical shade – keeping water temperatures cool and oxygen levels high – which is especially important for sensitive species like brook trout in western Maryland . In the Chesapeake Bay, underwater native plants (submerged aquatic vegetation like wild celery, eelgrass, and widgeon grass) create underwater meadows that serve as nurseries for young fish and crabs. Juvenile rockfish (striped bass), perch, blue crabs, and other aquatic creatures find protective shelter and food in underwater grass beds . These grasses also oxygenate the water and improve its clarity by trapping sediment and absorbing excess nutrients , which boosts overall water quality. Thanks to healthy native plant buffers and aquatic grasses, Maryland’s streams and the Bay can support robust fish populations. Every time we restore a wetland with native sedges or plant a streamside buffer of willows and oaks, we’re not only creating habitat – we’re also safeguarding water quality for fish and the entire aquatic food web.  Learn more here.

Small Animals

“Small animals” include the many modest-sized mammals and others that live in our yards and woodlands – think squirrels, rabbits, chipmunks, groundhogs, and Maryland’s unsung hero, the Virginia opossum. Native landscapes provide these creatures with nutritious forage and safe cover. For instance, oaks, hickories, and native fruiting shrubs supply acorns, nuts, and berries that sustain squirrels and eastern chipmunks. Thickets of native shrubs or prairie grasses offer rabbits and ground-nesting wildlife hiding places from predators. The benefits flow both ways: those same small mammals often control pests and even protect human health. A great example is the opossum – a frequent visitor to Maryland backyards – which patrols for slugs, snails, and beetles in our gardens. Research shows a single opossum can groom off and consume nearly 4,000 ticks per week that latch onto its fur , dramatically reducing local tick populations that spread Lyme disease. Opossums and other small mammals also eat insects, rodents, and carrion (decaying matter), acting as natural “clean-up crews” in the ecosystem . By planting native groundcovers, fruiting trees, and keeping brush piles or leaf litter, gardeners create a haven for these little critters. In turn, they help keep insect pests, ticks, and even rodent numbers in balance – a win-win for ecology and backyard comfort.  Learn more here.

Large Animals

Maryland’s larger animals – such as white-tailed deer, foxes, coyotes, and black bears – require healthy native habitats across bigger landscapes, and they provide important services in those ecosystems. Forest plantings are particularly valuable for these species. For example, the American black bear, Maryland’s largest mammal, thrives in extensive forests with lush native understories. Bears gravitate to areas rich in acorns, nuts, berries, and seeds – all products of native oaks, beeches, hickories, and fruiting shrubs . Acorns from oak trees are actually the single most important natural food for Maryland’s bears , sustaining them as they fatten up for winter. In summer, bears and other large mammals also feed on wild blueberries, black cherries, persimmons, and other native fruits. By feasting on these fruits and nuts and later roaming the woods, large animals become seed dispersers – their scat (droppings) is often filled with seeds that sprout into new plants across the landscape . In this way, wildlife like bears and deer help regenerate forests and maintain plant diversity. Large predators and omnivores further contribute to pest control and disease regulation. For instance, Maryland’s foxes and coyotes prey on rodents (like mice and voles) that can overpopulate and harm crops, helping to naturally keep those populations in check. And while deer in excess can damage gardens, in balanced numbers they are an integral part of the food web and aid nutrient cycling. By conserving native woodlands and meadows – plant communities that our large fauna rely on – we provide food and shelter for these animals, and they repay the favor by dispersing seeds, controlling prey populations, and even scavenging carcasses (nature’s cleanup) . In short, healthy native plant communities support Maryland’s large wildlife, which in turn support ecosystem health on a grand scale.  Learn more here.

Birds

Maryland is home to hundreds of bird species, from tiny hummingbirds and warblers to hawks and waterfowl – and all of them depend on native landscapes. Native plants offer birds the full menu of survival needs: insects, seeds, fruits, and nesting sites. One key to supporting birds is supporting insects (especially caterpillars), because 96% of terrestrial birds feed insects to their young. Native trees and flowers are far superior to non-natives in this regard – studies show native plants can host 35% more caterpillar biomass than non-native plants , meaning far more bird food is available in yards with natives. If our gardens lack native plants and thus insects, baby birds go hungry and bird populations decline . Gardeners can make a big difference by planting oaks, cherries, willows, and goldenrods, which are famous for hosting caterpillars (the preferred food for nestlings). In addition to insect prey, native flora produce nuts and berries throughout the seasons that sustain birds. For example, serviceberry and blueberry feed robins and catbirds in summer, spicebush berries fuel fall migratory birds, and winterberry holly’s fruits sustain overwintering birds. Even the humble native sunflower and coneflower seedheads provide winter food for finches. By recreating layered native habitat – canopy trees, understory trees, shrubs, and meadow flowers – a yard can attract a diversity of birds year-round .

Birds repay these riches by offering many ecosystem services of their own. They are voracious insect eaters – a single chickadee can snatch thousands of caterpillars to feed its brood – thereby reducing pest insects on our plants. Many birds (like bluebirds, swallows, and flycatchers) patrol gardens for mosquitoes, moths, and beetles, naturally keeping pest populations down. Birds are also important pollinators and seed dispersers. In Maryland, the ruby-throated hummingbird flits flower to flower, pollinating native blooms such as trumpet honeysuckle and bee balm. Orioles and sparrows spread seeds after eating fruits or grains. Birds even help control weeds by consuming weed seeds, and some scavenger species clean up carrion. As the National Park Service notes, birds are “free ecological services” – they control insects and rodents, pollinate plants, disperse seeds, and even sanitize by scavenging . In summary, when we plant native and bird-friendly gardens, we support our feathered friends’ survival and invite these natural allies to keep our ecosystems in balance.  Learn more here.

Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)

Figure: Monarch caterpillars feeding on butterfly milkweed, a Maryland native plant. Lepidoptera – the butterflies and moths – are some of the most celebrated beneficiaries of native plant gardens. Maryland’s native landscapes provide the host plants and nectar sources that these insects need at each stage of life. A classic example is the monarch butterfly, an iconic pollinator now in steep decline. Monarch caterpillars can only survive on milkweed plants, a family of natives that includes common milkweed, swamp milkweed, and butterfly milkweed (shown in the figure) . As development and herbicide use have reduced milkweed across the country, monarchs have struggled, underscoring how crucial it is to include these native plants in our meadows and gardens . Many other Maryland butterflies have similar specialized relationships: the zebra swallowtail’s caterpillars feed almost exclusively on the pawpaw tree, a native understory tree of our forests . The spicebush swallowtail depends on spicebush and sassafras as host plants; the Baltimore checkerspot (Maryland’s state insect) needs white turtlehead. By planting these native hosts, we directly support the full life cycle of butterflies and moths – from egg to caterpillar to pupa to adult.

Native flowering plants are equally important for adult butterflies and moths, providing nectar throughout the growing season. A pollinator garden rich in native wildflowers like purple coneflower, black-eyed Susan, blazing star, bee balm, and goldenrod will offer nectar for Maryland’s butterflies spring through fall. In turn, these Lepidoptera act as pollinatorsthemselves. Butterflies and moths visit blooms and inadvertently carry pollen, contributing to the fertilization of many wild plants (and even some crops). While bees and hummingbirds work the day shift, moths (and a few butterflies) pollinate at dusk and night, servicing evening-blooming flowers. Moreover, butterflies and moths are a key part of the food web: their caterpillars and adults become nourishment for birds, bats, amphibians, and other wildlife. A yard alive with native Lepidoptera will also be alive with birds and beneficial creatures. In essence, native plantings are the foundation for Lepidoptera diversity – and those butterflies and moths, in turn, help pollinate plants and support other animals in Maryland’s ecosystems .  Learn more here.

Reptiles

Maryland’s reptiles – including snakes, lizards, and turtles – may not be as celebrated as birds or butterflies, but they too flourish in native habitats and provide valuable services. Native vegetation creates the structural complexity and micro-habitats that reptiles need. For example, thick native groundcovers and leaf litter keep forest floors moist and cool for species like the Eastern box turtle and various skinks. Sunny openings with native wildflowers and grasses are perfect basking and hunting grounds for fence lizards and racers. And fallen logs or rock piles offer shelter for snakes such as the Eastern rat snake or garter snake. In a healthy ecosystem, reptiles often act as mid-level predators that help control pest populations. Many snakes prey on rodents – the Eastern rat snake gets its name for its skill in hunting mice and rats, which helps protect crops and homes from rodent outbreaks . Garter snakes and lizards eat plenty of insects and slugs in our gardens, providing natural pest control at ground level. Aquatic turtles like the common snapping turtle and painted turtle feed on aquatic invertebrates (and sometimes overabundant invasive critters) in our ponds and streams, contributing to balanced aquatic communities. Reptiles themselves become prey for larger wildlife (hawks, foxes, etc.), thus transferring the energy from the pests they’ve eaten up the food chain .

Conserving native plant landscapes is key to reptile conservation. When we leave or create areas of native habitat – e.g. unmowed buffer zones, meadow patches, or woods with logs and brush – we provide crucial shelter for these cold-blooded animals. In return, reptiles quietly perform ecosystem services: a single rat snake in your backyard woods might remove dozens of potential pest rodents each year. Turtles aid in seed dispersal by eating fruits (box turtles love wild strawberries and mayapple fruits) and distributing seeds elsewhere. Perhaps most importantly, reptiles and amphibians together are considered indicator species – their sensitivity to environmental changes (like temperature and habitat disturbance) means their presence is a sign of a healthy ecosystem . Seeing a snake slither through your native pollinator garden or a box turtle digging in the leaf litter is a good sign that your landscape is functioning ecologically. By valuing and accommodating reptiles in our native plantings, we maintain an important piece of Maryland’s biodiversity and natural pest control squad.  Learn more here.

Amphibians

Amphibians – frogs, toads, and salamanders – are highly dependent on the quality of our water and wetlands, making them one of the best indicators of environmental health. Native landscaping has a direct impact on amphibians by protecting the water quality and moisture levels of their habitats. For instance, when you replace lawn or pavement with a rain garden of native perennials, or maintain a forested buffer along a stream, you’re helping to filter out pollutants and slow down runoff. This results in cleaner, cooler water in nearby ponds and streams, which is exactly what amphibians need to survive and breed. Many of Maryland’s amphibians have dual life stages – aquatic as juveniles and terrestrial as adults – so they require fish-free ponds or vernal pools for breeding and damp, vegetated land for foraging. Native plant cover around wetlands is crucial: it provides shaded, humid microclimates for salamanders and frogs to hide in during the day, and it generates the leaf litter that keeps soil moist. Backyard gardeners can help by creating small ponds or leaving portions of their property wild. “Provide water,” advises the Maryland Wild Acres program, noting that even backyard ponds or stream access will “encourage amphibian breeding” – toads, frogs, and turtles will all make use of a new water source if it’s available .

Amphibians repay these habitat improvements by acting as voracious insect predators – they are fantastic for natural pest control. A single toad in the garden can eat dozens of slugs, beetles, and moths each night, protecting your plants. Frogs snap up mosquitoes and flies along pond edges. Salamanders prowl the forest floor at night feasting on ants, worms, and other invertebrates, thereby aiding in the nutrient cycling of the leaf litter community . Additionally, amphibians are food for many larger animals (herons, raccoons, snakes), so supporting them boosts the whole food web. Because their skin absorbs water and chemicals directly, amphibians are very sensitive to pollution – their presence or absence tells us a lot about water quality . Seeing rich frog and salamander populations in a wetland usually means the water is clean and the ecosystem is functioning well. By using native plants to restore wetlands, create woodland pools, or simply minimize chemical use in our yards, we can make conditions safer for amphibians. In doing so, we ensure these “canaries in the coal mine” continue to thrive and warn us of environmental issues, all while they quietly patrol our landscapes for pests. In Maryland’s quest to improve the Chesapeake Bay’s health and its local streams, every rain garden and reforested buffer that benefits amphibians also benefits us – it’s a sign of cleaner water and a more balanced ecosystem.  Learn more here.

Conclusion

From the waters of the Chesapeake Bay to our own backyards, native plantings are supporting a vibrant network of Maryland wildlife. In turn, that wildlife is hard at work keeping our environment healthy – bats and birds hunting insects, opossums and snakes reducing pests, butterflies and hummingbirds pollinating flowers, and underwater grasses sheltering fish. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources notes that native plants provide critical habitat for wildlife and “improve water quality and soil health”, directly linking our landscaping choices to the well-being of the wider environment . Moreover, local conservationists emphasize that planting natives is something everyone from gardeners to land managers can do to strengthen ecosystem services in their area. The Maryland Pollinator and Biodiversity Atlas, along with programs like DNR’s Wild Acres and the University of Maryland Extension, offer guidance on selecting the right natives for each region and wildlife goal. By viewing our gardens, parks, and restoration sites as part of Maryland’s living web, we can intentionally design landscapes that feed and shelter bats, fish, small and large animals, birds, butterflies, reptiles, and amphibians alike. The result will be healthier communities – not only for these creatures, but for people too, as our water becomes cleaner, our pest problems smaller, and our natural areas more resilient. In summary, native landscapes are the green infrastructure of ecosystem services, and nurturing them is an investment in Maryland’s environmental future.

Animal Food and Shelter

We are grateful for the prfessional staff at our Extension Offices, Herpilogical Societies and Naturalist organizations for the diligent research and recording of Animal food and shelter relationships.  Please find the summary of thier works as they apply ot the Maryland Polinator Atlas belowL

Maryland Native Animals - Dependencies

Maryland Native Animals - Food and Shelter Relationships

Sources

• Maryland DNR – Native plants provide habitat for wildlife and improve water quality

• Univ. of Maryland Extension – Native gardening supports birds, small mammals, butterflies, etc.

• Univ. of Maryland Extension – All Maryland bat species eat insects (natural pest control) ; Bats consume mosquitoes and pests

• U.S. Geological Survey/UMD (Agronomy News) – Bats save >$3.7 billion in crop pest control; one bat eats hundreds of insects nightly

• Maryland DNR – Opossums eat ~4,000 ticks per week; diet of pests (slugs, rodents)

• Maryland DNR – Black bear diet: berries, fruits, acorns, nuts (acorns most important in MD)

• UMD Researchers/ENST – Black bears are huge seed dispersers (seed-filled scat); umbrella species

• NPS Sagamore Hill – Native plants host 35% more caterpillar biomass than non-natives (more bird food)

• Chesapeake Bay Foundation – Zebra swallowtail butterfly larvae feed exclusively on native pawpaw

• Maryland DNR – Underwater grasses provide habitat for fish/crabs and help clean the water

• NPS (C&O Canal) – Reptiles & amphibians control rodent, fish, insect populations; indicators of ecosystem health

• Univ. of Maryland Extension – Backyard ponds/streams encourage amphibian breeding (toads, frogs, turtles)