You can help boost biodiversity in your garden this autumn by simply laying down your rakes and retiring your leaf blowers...
A well-kept lawn has a special place in the hearts of many a house-proud gardener. It has been described as Britain’s “greatest contribution to the visual culture of Europe. Leaves decaying on our lawns are thought to be an eyesore and are often collected and disposed of.The problem with this, whilst aesthetically pleasing to us, does not promote healthy biodiversity within our garden and does not help the declining wildlife that surrounds us.
What is Biodiversity?
Biodiversity is quite simply all the different kinds of life you'll find in one area - the variety of animals, plants, fungi, and micro-organisms
Why is this important?
The species of animals and plants found in the UK have declined, on average, by 19% since monitoring began in 1970. According to the latest UK State of Nature Report, this dramatic decline in wildlife puts one in six species at being lost from Great Britain.
I don't know about you, but I feel helpless when I read these statistics. It seems so abstract, but there are things that we can do as individuals that can have a powerful impact on nature, collectively.
Where does Leaf litter come into this?
A 2023 study suggests leaf litter strengthens ecosystem biodiversity by making soil more fertile and reducing the risk of pathogens left behind by animals.
- Habitat for Insects
Leaf litter is also an important habitat for animals. When the bitter months of winter arrive, dead leaves provide wildlife a place to shelter and hide from the elements. Below the detritus, moths and butterflies cocoons lie nestled, and bumblebees burrow to avoid the cold, hibernating over the winter months.
- Soil Fertiliser
Through the decomposition of litter, the nutrients absorbed by plants return to the soil, enriching the organic matter and mineral nutrients in the soil, while litter that has not been completely decomposed accumulates on the surface of the soil and becomes an important nutrient reserve in the ecosystem. Studies have shown that approximately 90% of the nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) absorbed by plants, as well as approximately 60% of other mineral elements, comes from the recycling of nutrients returned to the soil during the decomposition of plant litter.
Need one more reason to leave the leaves? The less time you spend raking those leaves, the more time you'll have to enjoy the beautiful autumnal weather and wildlife that visits your garden.
