Foodwebs

The first area of interest in a Botanical Garden is the plants. They are the first link in the food chain and therefore VERY IMPORTANT, but they are part of a complex community of living creatures and we need to also be conscious of the animals in the Garden. Here is a diagram of a food web. All the animals are directly or indirectly dependent on plants producing food by photosynthesis.

Plants need the animals & insects for:

• Pollination - a sexual dialogue, not between male and female of one species, but between the plant and its pollinator.
• Seed dispersal.
• Recycling of nutrients

The variety of living things around us is one of the greatest wonders of life on earth. Unfortunately this variety is being steadily reduced by the actions of people. This has serious consequences for the future. Biodiversity describes the variety of life in an area, including the number of different species, the genetic wealth within each species, the interrelationships between them. and the natural areas where they occur.

MASS EXTINCTION Remarkably, we do not know the true number of species on earth. More than 1.4 million have been identified, and it is estimated that the absolute number is between 5 and 30 million! Human destruction of the natural world is so serious that millions of these species are doomed to become extinct before they have even been named-
The biodiversity found on earth is the result of 3.6 billion years of evolution. A natural part of the evolutionary process is extinction, where species disappear owing to changes in their living conditions which they are unable to survive. In recent times, however, the rate of extinction has increased dramatically and is estimated to be 1000 to 10 000 times greater than before human intervention.

Biodiversity includes all living things, soil bacteria, fungi, plants, insects, birds, reptiles, mammals, and of course humans! Plants are the essential living part of this "Web of Life" - water, sun, and soil, are the vital inanimate factors. Humans are by far the most destructive predators and consumers. Without human interference, the "balance of nature" will generally ensure sustainable population densities. Where an imbalance occurs natural forces often cause a mass die out of the offending organisms. Humanity has to radically change present destructive behaviour patterns to safeguard the future and prevent total disruption of environmental balance.

PERMACULTURE The word permaculture comes from permanent agriculture. Permaculture strives for agriculture that is ecologically sound and sustainable in the long term: this means that it should be non-polluting, economically and socially viable, and provide for its own needs. Permaculture uses the inherent, or natural, qualities of plants and animals, combined with the natural characteristics of landscapes and structures, to produce a life-supporting system for city and country, using the smallest area possible. Permaculture is essentially a way of achieving efficient and sustainable food production.

Both exotic and indigenous plants will attract wildlife to your garden, but the latter will be more successful as they have evolved with the indigenous animals and are thus best suited to meet their needs. In addition, many people prefer to grow plants that belong to a particular area. 'Wildlife gardening'will be most successful if you grow plants that are indigenous to your local region. For example, proteas are indigenous to South Africa, but are not suited to the Natal coast. Consult your local nursery or botanical garden for advice.
Indigenous trees provide nesting sites. In addition, their flowers attract insects and their gum and seeds are eaten by many animals. Many species are a good food supply for birds, as well as providing very welcome shade for other animals.

We are busy collating info for this site and would like you to give us any info you have, preferably firsthand knowledge of plants and their insect or animal partnerships in the southern Cape area. Which trees or shrubs are used by birds to build their nests in? Which fruits are most often eaten by birds, mice, animals which visit your garden? Have you seen interesting pollinators busy in your garden? Of course we are more interested in indigenous plants, but will also welcome other info as well! We do not want to be too purist! Click here to give input

Paper recycling reduces water use by nearly 60% and energy consumption by 40%. Paper recycling can decrease water pollution by 35% and air pollution by 75%

Waste metal. Aluminium cans take 10 years before they even start decomposing. On the other hans, aluminium and detinned steel cans can both be melted down and re-used
Waste glass.

Glass does decompose as long as it is exposed to sunlight. Once it is buried this process stops. Waste glass can be added to new glass which saves energy. Up to 30% of recycled glass can be added to the mixture in a furnace. All of this could be supplied by recycling household glass.

Plasic waste will remain intact almost indefinitely if buried. Recycling of plastics from household waste is still in its early years but if enough is collected it can be recycled into products such as black plasic refuse bags.

Organic waste. The recycling of organic waste can take place in the home through composting. Over a period of about two years the cycle is completed from food to decomposition and back to food again. (we hope to add diagrams and info re composting soon - it is important to address the need to compost without animal manures for urban folk, but also because Fynbos does not like animal manures in its compost!)

Click here to give ideas or contacts for recycling, it seems that at the moment there is no really efficient recycling businesses in the southern Cape, but maybe we just do not know about them?