How to Use Seed Balls to Improve Biodiversity

Biological diversity, or "biodiversity," is the vast variety of Earth's living things. According to the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF), many species of plants have 400 thousand genes or more, leading to an endless number of genetic variations. Unfortunately, biodiversity is threatened due to the proliferation of deforestation, wetland destruction and urban sprawl. If you'd like to help rekindle biodiversity, try spreading seed balls in areas that need a vegetation rejuvenation.

Instructions

1. Use or make seed balls that have a wide variety of seed types mixed in. When you scatter the seed balls, the most hearty, adaptable vegetation will take hold, allowing you to take note of what grows well in the area.

2. Scatter seed balls to recreate native habitats in areas now dominated by barren or deforested land. Do some research to determine what types of vegetation flourish in the region, and make seed balls that include those seed species so you can recultivate the area.

3. Don't expect to establish vegetation and improve the biodiversity in an area over the course of a season. You'll find that some of the seeds are quick to take hold, and others do not perform well due to climate or land conditions. Experiment, and plan to work on introducing a variety of species into an area over the course of several years.

4. Find out what types of vegetation are most appropriate for wildlife species in the area. In order to improve biodiversity, you need to not only introduce a variety of vegetation to the area, but also ensure that the vegetation will support the creatures currently living off of the land.

5. Improve your own backyard by creating a sanctuary for vegetation and wildlife species that are finding themselves edged out by habitat destruction. Use a variety of seed ball mixes to diversify your backyard vegetation and you'll begin to attract new breeds of insects, birds and critters.

Tips & Warnings

• Visit Urban Habitat Chicago to use their step-by-step guide to make your own seed balls (see Resources below).

• Join the Nature Conservancy to help support the preservation of diverse plant and animal communities (see Resources below). Check out their "Conservation by Design" program, a scientific approach to determining the most immediate threats to biodiversity.

Resources

• Urban Habitat Chicago for seed ball recipe
• Nature Conservancy website to join the online community