With the beginning of spring comes the first blooms of the season. Flower shops sell their typical potted plants and bags of bulbs fly off the shelves to be planted or hung up to soak in the spring showers. Roses, tulips, and peonies become staples of front porch steps, but what about the flowers already growing in the yard? Or the ones sprouting through cracks in the sidewalk? Each plant contributes uniquely to the world around us, especially those native to the environment. However, with growing concerns over the state of the natural world, it is essential to realize just how crucial these species are for the continued stability of our ecosystem.

According to the National Wildlife Federation, native plants are species naturally occurring in an area over a long period without human introduction. In the United States, that generally means plants that grew here before the Europeans arrived. These plants hold relationships with the native wildlife, ones that have been cultivated for thousands of years. The Indiana Native Plant Society reports that Indiana is home to over 2,900 plant species, with only about one-third being non-native. When humans begin introducing non-native and even invasive species, a habitat’s stable ecosystems are thrown upside down.

Why Native Plants Are Important:

Native plants, having lived in a single space for thousands of years, are adapted to the local climate and landscape. When gardening, they do not require fertilizer or harmful pesticides because they are used to the basic conditions of their local environment. They’re developed to the water patterns of the area, which makes them require less watering. Considering all this, they are a more sustainable option thannon-native plants, which require much more cost and energy.

The local food chains rely on native plants to sustain their surrounding individuals, like insects and animals. Plants photosynthesize light energy to produce sugar molecules and oxygen. Herbivores and insects feed on that, depending on plants for food, and carnivores, in turn, eat them. Local herbivores are adapted to eat plants that coevolve with them and often will not branch outside of what they know. If there aren’t any native plants, the species living there are at a loss for food.

Biodiversity encapsulates the richness and variety of life on Earth. Each species has a job to do and thrives in a particular niche. Unfortunately, this much-needed facet of life is steadily declining, and has been for years. Changes in biodiversity lead to an unhealthy ecosystem that humans may not be able to rely on. Without a wide range of plants and animals, the Earth cannot provide resources such as water purification, medicine, clean air, and reliable food sources. By planting native species, the diversity that helps the planet thrive is kept in place.

Factors Harming Native Species:

Many modern components harm natural plant communities and, to a more significant extent, the planet. Similarly to endangered animals, plants also suffer from invasive species, habitat loss, urbanization, climate change, and pollution. 

As mentioned earlier, the introduction of invasive species is harmful to the natural environment. The Indiana Native Plant Society defines invasive plants as non-native species that may cause harm to the economy, environment, or human health. These species displace natural ones, eliminate key food sources, and threaten endangered plant species. They often have no predators, leading to overgrowth and potential damage to the ecosystem. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources monitors and fights back against dangerous invasive species, including detailed lists and places to report your sightings. Their 2020 Invasive Species Plan can be found at: https://www.in.gov/dnr/files/fw-terrestrial-invasive-plan-2020.pdf

Cities and towns are losing their green spaces. Wild areas are being cleared to accommodate the demand for housing, industry, and farming. This world-wide issue threatens and destroys global biodiversity. In 2020, the United Nations Environment Programme reported that over the past 30 years, 420 million hectares (1,621,629 square miles) of forest have been lost and converted for other uses, with another 100 million hectares (386,102 square miles) at risk. These losses are devastating and do not bode well for the future of our ecosystem. To combat this, we can support local initiatives to grow natural spaces and native plants and donate to nonprofits that advocate for conservation.

Pollution and climate change have disastrously altered the planet, and relationships in nature are shifting in ways humans cannot keep up with. Traditional temperature and rainfall patterns are unstable, leaving plants unable to cope with such sudden changes. They cannot absorb all the carbon dioxide they need to, leading to more entering the atmosphere and accelerating the planet’s warming. Plastic floats in the ocean and is buried in the soil, clogging up the plant’s natural cycles. Becoming more aware of how humans affect climate change is key to helping stabilize this relationship once again.

Many individuals nationwide passionately advocate for strengthening the natural environment, including many in Indiana. The Indiana Native Plant Society is one of them. On their website, they have plenty of valuable resources for learning more about our environment and finding native plants for your garden. The Indiana Wildlife Federation provides a broader range of information, including details about native animals. They include links on taking action, volunteering, and even resources for creating a more sustainable campus. Supporting organizations like these are essential to preserving the fragile stability of our ecosystem and helping our neighborhoods thrive.