Beauty With Indigenous Species

A garden a serves a man's every day need for s refreshing and pleasent experience.We have to appreciate that the garden serves as a home not only to the trees and plants that appear, but is a home to lots of small and big creatures of animal kingdom. Thus a garden is a conservatotory in these modern times of fast industrialization and increasing threat to ecological balance.

Thus a gardener has to keep in mind the need for aiding ecological balance or nature conservation when designing or planning or restructuring a garden.

In India, garderners (government and private) show a strong tendency for planting exotic species (totally foreign species or exotic to that particular microclimate, as seemingly they beleive that exotic species are attractive.Yes every thing new is attractive and indigenous species look ugly as our eyes got used to them.This tendency for exotic plants and trees either in gardening or largescale social forestry is atrocious and gives no regard for the essence of nature conservation and ecological balance that these gardens can serve for!

A indigenous plant or tree supports numerous other soil flora and fauna, birds and other animals through various ecological relations.An exotic plant or tree on the other hand, while not supporting the flora and fauna of that particular area, may actually have a deteriorating effect!

An example in India is the blunder of planting eucalyptus species for social forestry purposes.Eucalyptus has been given a great promotion by late Mr.Sanjay gandhi decades back as it seemingly required less water and grows fast, evenwhile giving some economic output in the form of timber and pulp.

Eucalyptus could have been selected for the afforestation in the areas where it is a naturally occuring species and will have some ecological relations establishes in the microclimate of that area.But planting this in areas where is is completely new.

Another grave blunder which is being practiced till day is, plantation with eucalyptus after clearing indigenous forest areas for the purpose of quarrying or mining purposes.In thiis case, the animals and other flora and fauna will be severely affected as indigenous species of that particular forest are replaced by eucalyptus and the area supporting their food and shelter requirements gets compressed and increases interspecific and intraspecific competetion. In these cases of reforesting the cleared forests, a mix of the existing species can be used for plantation.These species may not be economically rewarding like eucalyptus or grow fast as eucalyptus or any other exotic species. But they have lot of ecological significance and cannot be valued monetarily. More ideally the cleared area has to be filled in with mud from the existing forest so that the microclimate of the forest is replicated and helps the cleared area to gel uniformly in course of time.

Moreover the indigenous plants or trees survive in the natural rainfall and hence need no additional inputs.

I just gave an example of Eucalyptus, as it is widely planted in India, the similar is the case with unjudicious use of many other exotic plants.

I am not against exotic plants in general, but it has to be avoided when going for large scale plantations.In gardens they can be monitored well and can be accomodated 10 percent.Let the remaining 90% beauty be attined from indiginous species.

I request the readers not to get confused with what i mean indigenous or exotic.By indiginous i mean that belongign to a particular microclimate or small area with in a district or state or a country.By exotic we mean a plant not naturally occuring in that particular area or micro climate.

I hope that enthusiastic readers, gardeners, forestry people will further this discussion.

Ravikumar Uppaluri hails from Kaikalur, Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh State in India.The famous Kolleru bird sancturay, a fresh water lake that attracts birds from as far as siberia, is located near Kaikalur. Having spent the childhhod close to such nature rich areas, a deep interest and love for nature were inculcated right from child hood.Having done masters in agricultural science, This emotional bonding took a scientific and logical enquiry making scientifically and emotionally in sync with the cause of nature.

---

Lady Bugs Are Your #1 Natural Pest Control

First, this bug has many names. Some of it's names... Read More

Edgeworthia Chrysantha

Although it is a member of the Thymelaeaceae, the family... Read More

The Ultimate Magic Garden

Spring is the season to start planting seeds for the... Read More

Metal Garden Furniture

Since Victorian times metal garden furniture has become a popular... Read More

How to Decorate your Outdoor Space without Breaking the Bank

Noted English clergyman Sydney Smith (1771-1845) is quoted as saying,... Read More

The Flower Garden in August

Our flower garden in August can be brimming with activities... Read More

Themes of Shade

A Shade Garden can be created in any of several... Read More

Tips for Backyard Fish Ponds Care

Installing a backyard fish pond is an aesthetic addition to... Read More

Avoiding Unsightly Algae

Excessive organic matter in the pond provides nutrients for algae,... Read More

Ten Considerations Before You Buy A Bird House

When you decide to buy one bird house or more... Read More

Create and Furnish Your Outdoor Room

More and more people are enjoying their time spent outdoors... Read More

Discount Patio Furniture ? An Easy Way to Get the Best

Buying discount patio furniture is an economical way to obtain... Read More

Cozy Nooks: Creating a Secret Outdoor Place

Everyone seems to love a secret -- and when the... Read More

Mosquito Farms? Is That What Water Gardens Are?

What is nicer that a lovely backyard garden pond. The... Read More

Lazy Fish Worries

If your fish hang out at the bottom of the... Read More

Introduction to Aquaponics

Hydroponics and aquaponics are very similar in every way except... Read More

High Intensity Discharge Grow Light (Generic)

HID lamps are categorized in three groups :Mercury Vapor ,... Read More

Unique Flowers make a memorable gift!

Think "outside of the box" when sending your next floral... Read More

Mustard: The Greatest Among The Herbs

Mustard plants have been used for thousands of years for... Read More

Sculpture Can Bring Life to Your Garden

I should know: I've been a sculptor most of my... Read More

Wild Flower Garden - Plan to Plant

In the previous article I discussed design for your new... Read More

Park Benches - Making the Right Choice

When most people hear the words, "park bench", they envision... Read More

Natural Garden Pest Control

No dig gardens essentially strive to be their own ecosystem.... Read More

Greenhouse Buying Guide - Choosing The Right Greenhouse

When choosing a new greenhouse for your garden there are... Read More

Indoor Gardening Tips for Jerry Seinfeld

"I have no plants in my house. They won't live... Read More

Nontoxic Pest Control for Your Home and Garden

Pesticides are toxic and, while often effective against pests, can... Read More

Rosemary: The Herb of Remembrance and Friendship

Rosmarinus officinalis, commonly called rosemary is an aromatic herb indigenous... Read More

Patio Design and Patio Furniture - The Use of Focal Points

A focal point is an important design element; it is... Read More

All about Tulip Gardens

As the curtain of winter lifts, tulips are one of... Read More

Fuchsia procumbens

Fuchsia (named after Leonhard Fuchs, a 16th century German botanist)... Read More

The Tools of Rose Gardening

Like any job you tackle, it's always easier if you... Read More

Early Spring Garden Guide: What To Do In The Yard And Garden Now

Can't wait to get back to the garden? Use this... Read More

Dont Roll that Lawn

Every spring some mysterious hormone hits the male of the... Read More