Wednesday 15 March 2017

Long distance pollinators short on bridges, magnets and frameworks

Long distance pollinators such as the local Regent Honeyeater, Grey-headed Flying foxes and Squirrel Gliders play a major role in mixing up the genes of many plant species across the landscape. This aids the overall ability of sedentary vegetation to adapt and cope with human-driven changes such as habitat fragmentation and climate change.

To keep the pollinator networks strong long term plantings are needed for:
  • Bridging plants that ensure food during bottlenecks, shortages of nectar and pollen, especially over winter 
  • Framework plants that support diverse pollinator networks by providing food resources to a large number of species 
  • Magnet plants that provide rich resources of nectar and pollen that attract large numbers of pollinators 
Long-distance pollinator plantings also need long-term planning
  • It takes 20 years for some species to begin flowering
  • Planting at low densities speeds the canopy development and increases the rate of flower production with age, it’s quality not quantity that’s needed. 
  • Planting near water and on fertile soil can also increase flower production and enhance creek corridors.
  • Planting less than 1km from existing mature habitat is more likely to attract hollow dependent pollinators and have a better chance of being visited by greater numbers and varieties of pollinators.

Local plants that long distance pollinators love are Swamp Mahogany, Turpentine, Broad-leaved Paperbark, Grey Ironbark, Northern Grey Ironbark, Coastal Banksia, Spotted Gum, Forest Red Gum. If you have space for a tree one of these beauties will not only provide a lifeline for the local wildlife but also grow our local forest and give some shade for you to escape the summer heat.

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