RE-VEGETATION
Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar
Benefits of Insects in the Ecosystem
- Gardeners often think of insects as a pest that must be eradicated. However, the number of insect species that cause harm is very small in comparison to the great range of beneficial insect species that are critical to the survival of most life on Earth. Bats, birds, freshwater fish require insects for their survival. Along with plants, insects are at the foundation of the food web, and most of the plants and animals we eat rely on insects for food or pollination.
- As pollinators, insects ensure the reproduction and dispersal of plants and flowers. Additionally, they contribute to the ecosystem by decomposing waste, returning organic matter to the earth. The role extends beyond their own survival – they sustain entire food webs from the ground-up. So next time you see a buzzing bee or a fluttering butterfly, remember that these tiny creatures are the unsung heroes of the ecosystem.
Bumblebee Above Wild Iris
- Our understanding of Earth’s ecosystems has grown tremendously thanks to Doug Tallamy, a professor in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware. He has done extensive research in the last 40 years and found that most of our native insects do not feed on plants from Europe and Asia but require native plant species for food. The good news is that many of our native plants are very beautiful and that if just 70 percent of plants in an area are native, it is enough to have ecological function.
Spring Azure Butterfly
Re-establishment of Native Vegetation (aka Re-Veg)
- The Town of Southampton and East Hampton have regulations that protect our environment. These regulations provide opportunities to landscape your property into something that is ecologically functional, as well as beautiful. Understanding the approved plant list and the ornamental value of those plants creates a world of possibilities.