Why Are Native
Plants Important? Go Native with These
6 Basic Tips:
• Native plants are equipped to live with the
local climate, soil types, and animals. Plants
and animals that have evolved together
depend upon each other for survival. Native plants are being lost to habitat
destruction, invasive plants, introduced
pests, and diseases. Action can be taken
to protect and enhance the remaining
diversity of beautiful and useful native plants
using the following six basic guidelines.
• Native plants are used in the development of
new foods, medicines, and industrial products.
• Native plants have developed their own natural
defenses against many pests and diseases, requiring
less pesticide use. Reducing or eliminating the use of
pesticides keeps these toxins out of our watersheds. 1. Protect native plant communities
and minimize habitat destruction.
• Native plant communities provide opportunities for
people to experience and appreciate Colorado’s rich
natural heritage. They are what make different regions
unique. Native plants help connect people to nature. 4. Buy nursery-grown native plants.
2. Landscape with native plants.
3. Learn more about native plants.
5. Do not remove native plants from the wild.
6. Practice responsible landscaping
techniques by planting the right
plants in the right environment.
What is Biodiversity?
Biodiversity , short for biological diversity, refers to all
organisms living and interacting in all ecosystems on
earth. This includes all levels of organisms from genes
to ecosystems, and can encompass the evolutionary,
ecological, and cultural processes that sustain life.
The basic ecological unit in the biosphere is
the ecosystem. Each ecosystem consists of a
community of plants and animals. They are
in an environment they require to live.
Biodiversity includes not only species we
consider rare, threatened, or endangered, but
every living thing – from humans to organisms,
such as microbes, fungi, and invertebrates.
Colorado Agriculture in the Classroom
Biodiversity is Important
Biodiversity is important to most aspects of
our lives. This includes the many basic needs
humans obtain from biodiversity such as
food, fuel, shelter, and medicine. Ecosystems
provide crucial services such as pollination,
seed dispersal, climate regulation, water
purification, nutrient cycling, and control of
agricultural pests. Biodiversity also holds value
for potential benefits not yet recognized, such
as new medicines and other possible unknown
services. Biodiversity shapes who we are, our
relationships to each other, and social norms.
2 www.GrowingYourFuture.com