Biodiversity – Protecting, Improving, and Conserving It

Every day, humans use an estimated 40,000 different species of plants and animals. Let that sink in for a moment – 40,000! While that’s indeed a whooping number, it is estimated that in total, there are over 10 million species of plants and animals on Earth. While we’re only using a fraction of these resources day to day, human impact takes a massive effect on the wellbeing of the ecosystems these beings live in. The word for the sum of all of these species – from the microbial to the animals, plants and fungi, is of course, biodiversity! Biodiversity can be thought of as the ‘web of life’ or ‘variety of living things’ that exists in every environment on the planet – be it the oceans or the arctic.

September has come to be known year over year as Biodiversity Month – and we here at Sow Easy are happy to celebrate that. The month is dedicated to promoting the importance of protecting, conserving and improving biodiversity on Earth. After all, removing just one single species can disrupt the biodiversity and wellbeing of an ecosystem. So, how can one work to protect and improve biodiversity? It’s basically just a matter of being a mindful human being, and taking continuous steps to lead a sustainable and eco-friendly existence. Some of the steps you can take to promote biodiversity include:

Planting

It’s as simple as that! Planting species of plants that are native to your area improve habitats for local birds, insects, and more. Not to mention, plants help keep the air clean, and provide a load of other benefits. If you’re reading this, you probably already know that Sow Easy offers a variety of seeded products that not only make planting fun, but makes seeds, well, brandable too!

Eating Meat and Seafood Mindfully

While it certainly requires a little extra cash, buying sustainably raised meats and seafood helps to fight against unethical farming and harvesting practices. Being sure not to indulge in threatened species helps protect biodiversity, as well.

Composting

Composting gives the vegetable and fruit peelings that would otherwise end up in a landfill the opportunity to instead, nourish your garden! Composting reduces the need for chemicals and fertilizers, and helps to improve the overall health and wellbeing of your soil. The less chemicals – the better!

Own Pets Responsibly

This one comes across as a no-brainer, though many people don’t realize the impact that letting domestic cats outside can have on ecosystems. When cats kill birds as prey, they throw off the biodiversity, causing issues for the entire ecosystem.

Be Conscious of What You Pour Down the Drain

While it may seem like nothing to pour chemical disinfectants and oils down the drain, those substances can cause issues for biodiversity later on once they end up in bodies of water.