Biodiversity in Solihull

Biodiversity

An explanation of biodiversity and a set of local sites to visit and explore

What is biodiversity?

The term 'biodiversity' comes from the words 'biological diversity' and simply means the variety of all living things from tiny microbes to the largest mammals and trees. It also refers to the woodlands, wetlands and other habitats that support these species.

Why conserve biodiversity?

Human life depends upon healthy functioning ecosystems and the biodiversity that they contain. Biodiversity gives us many of the essentials of life - water, cleaner air, food, clothing and medicines. Nature also greatly enriches our lives - it's our life - support system. Biodiversity is under threat from a global scale right down to a local level. Threats include inappropriate land management, pollution and habitat destruction. We need to take action now if we are to secure a healthy planet (and Borough) for the future.

Biodiversity in Solihull

Solihull is rich in biodiversity with bluebell woods such as Millison's Wood and Yorks Wood, remnant heathland around Bickenhill and ancient Arden pastures criss-crossed with hedge rows. There are five Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in the Borough, 11 Local Nature Reserves and more than 250 locally important wildlife sites. But biodiversity is not only to be found in designated sites. With the pressures of intensive agriculture taking its toll on farmland and woodland biodiversity and new demand for housing and business developments, Solihull's parks, gardens, veteran trees and open spaces provide a lifeline for wildlife that would otherwise be squeezed out. Green corridors such as the rivers Cole and Blythe as well as canals enable wildlife to move across the Borough and provide important areas for recreation.

We have highlighted a few sites which you can explore in more detail for yourself, with lots more information available on our web site www.solihull.gov.uk.

How you can do your bit?

• Plant nectar rich flowers to attract a wide range of insects, including bees, hoverflies and butterflies
• Grow holly, cotoneaster, pyracantha, guelder rose and blackthorn to provide berries for birds and small mammals
• Grow climbers against walls, boundary fences and through trees to provide cover and food for birds and mammals
• Have a go at growing your own organic fruit and vegetables. It's great exercise and nothing beats the fresh taste. You will also know your food is pesticide free and locally grown
• Water is a precious resource so collect rain water to use in the garden and reduce the need for watering by improving the soil and by selecting appropriate plants
• Avoid using pesticides and herbicides - use biological control instead.
• Make compost and leaf mould instead of buying peat-based composts. Not only is this a cheap way to feed the soil but is also a great way of recycling waste
• Stop the spread of invasive aquatic plants which can do immense damage when they are released into the wild. Dispose of parrots feather, floating pennywort, Australian swamp stonecrop, water fern and water primrose by burying, composting or burning. Better still; don't buy them in the first place. Buy a native pond oxygenator instead such as hornwort or water milfoil

Where you can find out more information

Other sites of interest to visit plus conservation volunteering opportunities

• http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/
• http://www.organicgardening.org.uk/
• http://www.floralocale.org/
• http://www.plantlife.org.uk/
• http://www.travelwm.co.uk/