Over centuries, human activity has altered ecosystems that evolved over millennia, sometimes with harmful consequences. Non-native plants and animals can disrupt local ecology by outcompeting native species and destabilizing the balance of an ecosystem. Thankfully, we’re increasingly learning from these mistakes and working to restore native plants. This restoration brings numerous advantages, including fire safety, water resilience, balanced insect and pest populations, food sources for local wildlife, and a deeper connection to the land and its indigenous heritage.
Native Plants and Fire Safety
With rising wildfire risks, fire safety has become a greater concern in many landscapes. Invasive species, along with reduced tree diversity, have made forests more vulnerable to intense fires. Fortunately, organizations like the National Invasive Species Council and the Wildland Leadership Council are restoring balance by removing invasive species and reintroducing native plants.
Outside forests, grasslands across the country are increasingly populated with invasive species that are highly flammable and consume more water than native varieties. Native plants not only reduce the severity of fires but are also more water efficient.
Native Plants and Water Resilience
In regions like the western United States, drought and water restrictions are familiar challenges. Water conservation can be especially challenging during peak summer heat. Native plants, especially those adapted to arid climates, are naturally resilient to drought and are ideal for sustainable landscaping.
For example, in Spokane, Washington, the city offers a $500 water credit to residents who replace traditional lawns with native plants. Drought-tolerant plants such as yarrow, narrowleaf milkweed, bluebunch fescue, and arrowleaf balsamroot bloom throughout the year, creating a beautiful, water-wise landscape that also provides food and habitat for native wildlife like birds and butterflies.
Native Plants and Pest Control
Gardeners know the struggle of dealing with pests like aphids and spider mites. However, the solution doesn’t lie solely in pesticides; it involves cultivating native species as part of an integrated pest management (IPM) approach. Native plants evolved alongside local flora and fauna, often producing scents and compounds, such as terpenes, that attract beneficial predatory insects and birds. These species not only help control pest populations but also support struggling native insect populations.
Native Plants and Endangered Species
Planting native species supports local ecosystems by offering food and habitat for endangered wildlife. Monarch butterflies, for example, have seen a 90% population decline in the past two decades due to the loss of food and breeding grounds. Monarchs rely on milkweed as their only egg-laying plant. In my region, we’re fortunate to have two varieties: narrowleaf and showy milkweed. However, the tropical milkweed (bloodflower), which is invasive in places like Florida, can disrupt monarch migration and increase parasitism, weakening monarch health. By planting native milkweed, we can help the monarch population recover and forge a stronger connection with the natural world.
Native Species and Indigenous People
For millennia, indigenous people sustainably gathered food and medicine from native plants. Colonization and westward expansion disrupted many of these resources. While we no longer depend on native plants for survival, reconnecting with these practices offers a valuable understanding of our land.
The Spokane Tribe, whose name means "Children of the Sun," lived as hunter-gatherers, depending on native plants like the camas. This vital food source, carefully managed with prescribed burns and harvested only after three to five years, demonstrates the kind of community-wide stewardship we can embrace today to preserve our local ecosystems.
Conclusion
Native plants contribute to a balanced and healthy ecosystem, enhancing our homes, gardens, and communities. By cultivating native species, we can help restore this balance while adding unique value to our lives and our shared bioregion.If you're interested in becoming a steward of native plants, consider connecting with your local native plant society to start designing your own native plant garden.
