Plants
Introduction
Plants, with their lush greenery and captivating diversity, are the silent sentinels that have shaped our world for hundreds of millions of years. From the tallest redwood to the tiniest moss, plants are not merely decorative elements of our landscapes; they form the very bedrock of carbon-based life on Earth. But why are plants so central to our planet's health, and how do they contribute to the rich tapestry of ecosystems?
Plants are the primary producers in most ecosystems, harnessing the sun's energy through the miraculous process of photosynthesis. They transform sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into glucose and oxygen, providing the foundational energy source that fuels life. The oxygen they release is essential for the respiration of most organisms, including humans.
Beyond their role as energy providers, plants sculpt the very structure of ecosystems. Forest canopies regulate temperature and humidity, grasslands prevent soil erosion, and wetland plants filter impurities from water. Plants also play a leading role in the water cycle, with processes like transpiration and evaporation helping to distribute and purify Earth's water.
Ecological succession, the natural development of ecosystems over time, often begins with pioneering plants, like lichens or grasses, that prepare the environment for subsequent species. These early colonizers pave the way for larger plants, and eventually, entire forests or grasslands, shaping habitats and determining the species that dwell within.
Moreover, plants are central to intricate relationships with pollinators, herbivores, and even fungi, like the mycorrhizal associations that benefit both plants and fungi. They provide food, shelter, and breeding grounds, connecting all forms of life in intricate webs of interdependence.
On this page, delve deeper into the world of plants—their diverse roles, the threats they face, and their paramount importance in conservation efforts. Explore how these verdant wonders anchor ecosystems, foster biodiversity, and ultimately, sustain life as we know it.
Trees
Seeds
Wildflowers
Wildflowers can consist of anything that flowers, but we encourage everyone to focus specifically on trying to bring back the native species for your area, as non-natives can become agressively invasive. Wildflowers can be microscopic like the flowers found on duckweed, floating on ponds or in swamps. They can include meadow species, shrubs, cacti, and trees. Anything that flowers can help support pollinators, who in turn support other species in our biomes.
Click the Wildflowers button to find out what species belong in your area, as well as how to find and grow your own.
Check out our Seeds page for companies, charities, and libraries offering seeds for your area.
Pollinators
Many plants both support pollinators and need pollinators to reproduce. Some plants can use the services of many pollinators, while some are specially evolved for only one species or subspecies to visit.
Birds
Plants provide food, homes, and nest-building materials for birds. In return, fruit-eating birds help spread plant seeds, and some species such as hummingbirds help pollinate flowering plants.
Resources
Help End Global Deforestation
Right now we're destroying forests much faster than we can possibly replant them, even if we did massively scale up planting efforts.
Understanding the top threats to trees and tackling those issues can help slow the rate of loss, which will make replanting efforts more likely to succeed. Only once we have slowed the current rate of forest loss, can we stand a chance of making sufficient impact with planting efforts.
Planting & Restoration
Though not as effective, and quite likely to fail when done in mass, smaller scale plantings, done closer to where people live and work tend to provide many benefits from lower energy use and reduced heat island effect, in addition to cleaning greenhouse gases and other pollutants from our air.
Tools & Apps
Africa
Namibia
Atlas of Alien Plants "Several species of alien plants in Namibia pose a threat to the natural vegetation. Mapping these species and obtaining basic information on them is a first step in assessing the level of threat and how best to tackle the problem."
Europe
Ireland
Ireland's Citizen Science Portal "The National Biodiversity Data Centre works to make biodiversity data and information more freely available in order to better understand and assist the protection of Ireland’s biodiversity."
UK
Northern Ireland
CEDaR (Center for Environmental Data and Recording) Online Recording Click the link to see what projects are available. They have specific links for Owls, Butterflies, Marine, Invasive Species, Lady Birds and more! Some of the links will take you to projects for specific regions including the Ring of Gullion and Belfast Hills.
Ireland's Citizen Science Portal "The National Biodiversity Data Centre works to make biodiversity data and information more freely available in order to better understand and assist the protection of Ireland’s biodiversity."
Europe
UK
National award schemes There are a number of key organisations offering grants and advice to community based projects e.g.
Big Lottery Fund "Groups can apply to us for funding under £20,000, or over £20,001, depending on what they want to do."
Heritage Fund "We fund projects of all sizes that connect people and communities to the UK’s heritage."
Grow Wild UK "Bringing people together to value and enjoy wildflowers and fungi"
Maps
International
Butterfly Conservation: Wild Spaces: Put Your Wild Space on the Map "Our interactive map shows the number and types of Wild Space near you. When you sign up in the UK, your Wild Space will also appear on the map so you can show everyone that you're taking action and encourage others to get involved too."
Europe
UK
Butterfly Conservation: Wild Spaces: Put Your Wild Space on the Map "Our interactive map shows the number and types of Wild Space near you. When you sign up in the UK, your Wild Space will also appear on the map so you can show everyone that you're taking action and encourage others to get involved too."
Grants & Funding
North America
USA
Texas
Monarch Garden Grants "The Native Plant Society of Texas awards small grants to nature centers, schools, educational groups and others to help fund development of Monarch demonstration gardens or Monarch Waystations using native plants on public sites in Texas. The purpose of this program is to educate members, applicants, and the public about Monarch conservation and native plants, and to encourage restoration of Monarch habitats throughout the Texas migration flyway."
Oceana
Australia
Western Australia
Native Plant Subsidy "Native plants provide natural food sources and shelter for native animals, are water wise and can help cool your home naturally. To help you create a waterwise garden, the City of Cockburn offers native plant subsidies to both residents and schools."