Ecologist offers useful ways to help forstall extinction of wildlife

THERE is something all of us can do to help forestall extinctions of our native wildlife.

That was the message from terrestrial ecologist Greg Ford, in a recent talk he gave at Highfields Tavern, hosted by the Friends of Peacehaven Botanic Park.

Statistics show vast numbers of extinctions since Europeans settled this continent and existing species are severely threatened by urban expansion and climate change.

Amid the doom and gloom, it’s easy to assume that trying to hold back the tide is pointless.

But Mr Ford urged everyone to think differently.

He said that first people need to understand the problems, which are mostly to do with habitat and resources, and which he illustrated by aerial photos of the Highfields area taken over the past 30 years.

These showed bushland replaced or reduced by a sea of roofs; concrete and Colorbond where there used to be green paddocks.

Areas of remnant vegetation still exist, but most of the connectivity between them has been lost.

In combination with climate change, meaning higher temperatures and less rain but more intense downpours, this picture spells trouble for our native wildlife.

So what can we, as individuals, do?

Mr Ford’s answer is that every little bit helps and you can start in your own backyard.

● Make your garden a safe place for wildlife.

● Create wet places as habitat for native animals.

● Provide breeding places.

● Grow tucker plants.

● Think about connectivity. Remember that many native animals can’t fly, so make sure your garden doesn’t block their transit through the landscape. Instead, design the garden to be a wildlife corridor.

● Control your domestic pets.

● Most importantly, spread the word.