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Gardens - An Important West London Habitat

Wildlife

Gardens cover some 20% of the entire land area of London (source - 'London Biodiversity Audit') These are of great value as wildlife habitat, especially as so much of the other 80% is of little value for wildlife.

Private garden

Improving the wildlife value of gardens

Th value of gardens for wildlife can be increased by appropriate management. Use of native plants, nectar-rich flowers and berry-bearing trees and shrubs can all increase the food available to animals. Minimising the use of harmful pesticides, particularly some slug pellets (which may kill hedgehogs and birds that eat poisoned slugs and snails) also helps to make gardens more wildlife-friendly.

Such gardens can also lead to improved health through physical exercise, fresh produce, relaxation and contact with nature.

There are many other ways in which gardeners can improve their gardens as wildlife habitats without damaging their horticultural, aesthetic and recreational value. Responsible pet ownership can reduce the impact these animals have on garden and other wildlife, for example the number of birds killed by cats.

Threats

There are a number of threats to wildlife in gardens:

Built development within back gardens ('infilling')
Conversion of front gardens to off-street parking areas (see campaign)
Introduction of hard surfaces or decking
Use of chemical such as fertilisers and pesticides
Excessive manicuring and tidiness
Lack of understanding of wildlife potential

Action

The need to protect and enhance the wildlife value of gardens has been recognised in the 'Biodiversity Action Plans' (BAPs) for West London:

Hounslow BAP (PDF file - 1 Mbyte, page 69.) There is a full plan, which also covers allotments.
Ealing BAP (LB of Ealing web site - PDF file). There is a brief 'Species Statement' (and also a full plan for allotments, which have many similarities.)

Information on gardening for wildlife and a garden wildlife survey can be found on the London Wildlife Trust web site.

'Flagship' species

There are a number of wild plants and animals which are characteristic of the gardens that are best for wildlife. A number of these - usually the more obvious or 'popular' ones - have been selected as 'flagship species'. For the boroughs of Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham, they are:

Blackbird

house sparrow
blackbird
robin
wren
frog
hedgehog
ivy (climbing)

This is similar to the list for allotments, because the garden habitat is often similar.

Wildlife Gardening Centre

A good place to obtain information and inspiration is the London Wildlife Trust Centre for Wildlife Gardening. The garden is situated in Dulwich. It is open Tue, Wed Thur and Fri. Address: 28 Marsden Road, London SE15 4EE (5 minutes walk from East Dulwich station). Tel: 020 7252 9186. E-mail: lwtwildgarden@cix.co.uk