A Cure for ‘Plant Blindness’: The Worrying Decline of Our Native Plants

By Olwen Simpson

‘Save the Turtles!’ is a quote we hear all the time. We all know of it. Some of us even listen. We try reusing and recycling our plastic waste, and uploading items onto Vinted to prevent contribution to the ever-growing landfills of fast fashion, all with the thought of endangered animals in mind. However, when it comes to plant species, to the basis of our food chains and the foundation of our ecosystems, we tend to suffer from a blindness and ignorance that shows how little we know about nature’s decreasing biodiversity.

Plants within the UK are in a massive decline; a major problem that is not widely recognised within the general population. In fact, 54% of all plant species’ distributions have reduced, and it is reported that only 25% of peatland and 7% of woodland environments present satisfactory ecological conditions [1]. Sorrowfully, the natural world we think of so dearly is disappearing before our eyes -its foundations crumbling through the loss of flora.

Agriculture is one of the most prevalent issues when it comes to the decrease in our biodiversity.

Northern Ireland’s terrestrial land is predominantly agricultural- approximately 75% has become farmland. In particular, livestock farming affects plants and lichen populations negatively due to raising greenhouse gas emissions, increasing pollution. Tree health and mycorrhizal fungi are threatened by ammonia emissions as a result [2], Ancient woodlands that should be buzzing with a vibrant array of native species are at risk. This reduction in plant biodiversity results in the food and habitats of many animal populations dwindling. Their quality of life and the likelihood of successful reproduction is lowered significantly.

Endangerment has a knock-on effect, rippling through the wild, spiralling up trophic levels. Many species are not supported sufficiently by the ecosystems they are a part of. This destruction of food chains, stemming from the eradication of plant life, is infuriating and the sad reality of our current Earth.

The use of pesticides and intensive farming practices also lead to reduced plant numbers, and hence a depletion in flowering plants, resulting in a loss of pollinators as their food is scarcer [1 ]. This limits the pollination of crops, which causes smaller yields, impacting the income of farmers and decreasing the percentage of UK grown produce found on supermarket shelves. Therefore, the decline in plants also has a heavy impact on the local economy as well as the environment. It is detrimental to the livelihoods of

many and should be a key indicator that agricultural methods need to be corrected. There is no space for unsustainable practices in our wounded world.

Complete records of all plant life within the UK were compiled in a recent study. Five thousand volunteers spanned the country and found 3445 different species. The Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland then puttogether the Plant Atlas 2020 containing this recorded information. It was discovered that 1692 species were native and 1753 were not. [3]

So, why is this a problem and what can we do to help?

Along with agriculture, invasion of the natural environment by non-native plants is threatening our native species.

Non-native plants reduce biodiversity in a multitude of ways; this is deeply concerning as it has led to the endangerment (and even extinction) of many species. They spread plant disease, crowd water bodies (which leads to eutrophication), and take up space, reducing the habitat in which native plants can successfully grow, and hybridise with native species. The elegant oceans of blue perfume that swathe our forest floors in spring are devastatingly turning from our native bluebells, with their unique characteristics that define UK woodlands, to the invasive Spanish strain. The fungal disease Ramorum (transported by Rhododendron ponticum) is perilous to the mighty oak, beech and larch that paint our hillsides [4]. Despairingly, the beauty of our nature is being stolen; the landscapes of the past looking gloomy.

A large cause of this invasion by non-native species is through horticulture, so knowing how to control the plants you grow in your garden is essential. There are three steps that can be taken to protect the natural landscapes we love [4]:

1. It is key to know what non-native species you are growing and where you have planted them.
2. To prevent the growth of these plants outside your garden, you should take off pods and seed heads so transportation by wind or animals is inhibited.
3. Remember to stay observant, so any species that achieve growth outside your property are caught. You should then pull these up and compost them, so they are broken down and can be reused as fertiliser – preventing distribution into the wild. [4]

It is of great necessity that we are aware of the threats to our plants and take actions to save their numbers from declining further. Not only do they uphold all biodiversity which swarms our natural world so are key in maintaining all wildlife, the protection of native species in turn protects us.

Saving the environment isn’t achievable without curing ‘plant blindness’ first.

Bibliography:

[1] The Wildlife Trusts. 2023. “Landmark report shows UK wildlife’s devastating decline.” Last Modified 26 September 2023. Accessed 8 November 2024. https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/news/landmark-report-shows-uk-wildlifes-devastating­ decline

[2] True Harvest Seeds. 2024. “Unveiling the State of Nature 2023: Northern Ireland’s Environmental Challenges.” Last Modified 22 October 2023. Accessed 8 November 2024. https://trueharvestseeds.org/unveiling-the-state-of-nature-2023-northern­irelands-environmental-challenges/#:~:text=ln%20Northern%20Ireland%2C%2012%25%20of,from%20their%2 0once%2Dthriving%20habitats

[3] Cornwell, Lucy. 2024. “Preventing the spread of invasive plants from your garden.” Last Modified 23 February 2024. Accessed 8 November 2024. https://defraenvironment.blog.gov.uk/2024/02/23/preventing-the-spread-of-invasive­     plants-from-your-garden/

[4] Ranna rd, Georgina. 2024. “Native UK plants in catastrophic decline, major report finds.” Last Modified 8 March 2023. Accessed 8 November 2024. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-64842402