In a prairie, woodland, or any other native plant community, hundreds of plant species live together in harmony. When one plant struggles in a drought, its neighbor thrives. When pests arrive, there’s always something left standing strong. If you had a forest with only Burr Oak (Quercus macrocarpa), and oak wilt comes through your forest, no trees would be left standing. But, with biodiversity, your forest withstands the blows of insect stress, disease, drought, etc.
In simple terms, biodiversity is the variety of life – from the plants themselves to the insects, birds, and microbes that depend on them. A diverse plant community is like a team – working together to fulfill different roles. The deep roots of native plants pull water from far below during dry spells, while more shallow-rooted natives will capture quick rain events. Early blooming forbs feed spring pollinators, while late bloomers support them through fall. Together, they create a system that bends without breaking.
Monocultures (a planting of a singular species) are more likely to be wiped out by pest damage, disease, or weather extremes. In a mixed and balanced planting, pests and diseases rarely find enough of their preferred host to cause lasting damage to the whole ecosystem. Diversity also supports soil health because of the differing functions of the root systems of native plants. Some native plants have extremely deep root systems, preventing erosion, improving infiltration and fostering beneficial microbes. In the end, having more species creates a natural resistance to challenges.
Looking at the history of native prairies and how they have evolved and survived millennia of extreme weather conditions, diseases, pests and fires, it is a testament to how diversity holds the ecosystem together. Even small-scale restorations can begin to reflect that pattern of resilience.
Maybe you have a good foundation of plant species you want to add to your project, but how do you make it even more diverse? Presto can solve this question by giving you an extensive list of species suited to your site characteristics. It doesn’t just list the top performers for your site; it creates a broad selection of species to choose from. When you have added a selection of grasses, forbs, ferns and trees/shrubs, your result is a balanced mix of species that perform different functions in your ecosystem.
By bringing more biodiversity to our landscapes, we bring stability, beauty and life back to our environment. Every additional species is another piece of the puzzle that holds our ecosystem together.
Find your site’s suitable native species and build diversity and resilience in your landscape with Presto.
