Planting trees for biodiversity

Biodiversity (biological diversity) may be defined as: ‘The diversity of life on earth, consisting of the variety of species, the variety of genes, and the variety of communities or ecosystems’.

Biodiversity encompasses the complete range of life forms from the most obvious to the least obvious (many of which remain unknown to science) (NSW Biodiversity Strategy – Discussion Paper, NSW DPI and DECC, 2008).

Species have an intrinsic right to exist for their own sake.

Additionally, ecosystems and their associated diversity of species provide many ‘goods and services’ to humanity.

This Primefact covers the following topics:

• Vegetation management basics for biodiversity on farms
• The value of plantations for animal biodiversity
• Enhancing wildlife habitats in plantations
• Protecting environmental plantings
• Examples of properties where tree and shrub planting has benefited biodiversity
• Biodiversity plantings may enhance farm productivity
• Protecting waterways – riparian buffer strips
• Planting advice for environmental plantings
• Participating in biodiversity planting projects