Stephanie Bradshaw

ENVST 210 Professor Bjelland

Final Paper

16 May 2014

Native Plants

With the many environmental issues in the world related to globalization, people

are seeking solutions, such as converting back to local economies and resources in order

to reduce energy consumption, land use, and overall human impacts on the planet. Each

place in the world varies in climate, culture, and resources. These aspects should be

considered in how an area is developed for human use. Sustainable development uses a

region’s natural resources and services for human needs without destroying the natural

habitat. Water quality, waste management, pollution control, architecture, resource

management, and reducing energy consumption, are a few areas of focus in sustainable

development. However, there is one very important aspect of development that is often

lacking in discussions: the use of native plants. There are numerous benefits from native

plants, yet their use is neglected.

Supporting Local Biodiversity

Endangered and threatened species are a high priority topic that can be addressed

with the use of native plant species. Supporting native plants, which are the base of an

ecosystem, will support the animals higher in the food chain (Warners 2014). Plants are

primary producers, so by sustaining plants, we are supporting the whole food chain.

Native plants are co-adapted with local species so that they rely on each other to survive.

Native species are very important in supporting local pollinators such as bees, bats, and

birds (Ryskamp 2014). Native plants are not only a food source but also create habitats,

in which many other species live. Plants function as an important factor in ecosystems in

many ways. In their original habitats, native plant species are more efficient than non-

native plants.

Stereotypes of Appearances

Many people will not outright refuse the idea of planting native plants, but there

are several factors that impact their decisions.

A lot of people are simply uninformed of the benefits of native plants or do not

know native from non-native. However, there are resources online and at native plant

stores. The online Michigan Native Plants Database provides a catalogue of native

Michigan plants and explanations of how to care for the plants and where they grow best.

Another reason for resisting the cultivation of native plants is that some people do

not like the appearance of their region’s habitats, such as deserts, wet lands, and tundra.

Maltiz and Maltiz (1998) explain:

Mention wetlands to some people, and they envision pestilence-filled marshes where mosquitoes rule the air and cottonmouths rule all else. The word drylands calls to mind oven-heat shimmering over a great sea of shifting sand - lifeless, except for cacti, scorpions, and Gila monsters. And in the minds of many, grasslands and meadows are grazing lands, associated with vast tracts of nothingness, to be appreciated only by buffalo and other ruminants… These are the most sensible models, the ones that most realistically address the restrictions of the site. (77)

Besides some people’s stereotypes, such landscapes can offer the most efficient

development information. Native plants are adapted to their region’s resources and

climate and can teach us about the types of soil, precipitation, and other natural features

of the land. With this knowledge, humans can optimize local development designs.

The cost of plants is a major concern for many people. They buy the flat of

pansies at Meijers instead of a native plant from a local grower. However, considering the

benefits associated with native plants, it is worth any extra cost. Many native plants thrive

and last for years, whereas non-natives might die off and need to be replanted every year.

Skeptics think that allowing wild plants in a garden or yard will make it look

messy and unorganized. However, Maltiz and Maltiz (1998) argue that “the variety is

endless, and gardens that are modeled after nature’s landscapes… can be delicate or

powerful, serene or exciting” (7). Nature provides originality between regions with each

place being extraordinary in its own unique way.

Sense of Home

Native landscaping refutes globalization. Specific plants, and the habitats that

they make up, create a sense of place. People should celebrate their local environments

instead of trying to fit into a world-wide mold that takes more effort to maintain.

Calthorpe (1993) recommends the use of native plants in community development

because “trees and other landscaping help to establish a distinct character and quality of

life for a community. Indigenous species, in particular, create a unique identity and carry

forward the history of a place at a scale that is recognizable.” (75).

Among their physical uses, native plants also provide an insight into history.

“Native plants… were present before European settlement” (Ryskamp 2014). By

retaining certain species, we are linked to early settlers who used specific herbs and

plants for food and medicine. For example, Garlic Mustard use to be used in salads and

other foods, but now, people have lost the knowledge of how to prepare it, allowing it to

overgrow in regions with no predators. Morel mushrooms are a native Michigan species

that are still picked and prepared in numerous ways. This mushroom has maintained a

place in local cultures and even has a week-long festival each year in its honor in

Petoskey, Michigan. Native plants are a part of human culture as well as the natural

environment.

Reduced Maintenance

Since local species are already adapted to the local environment, they are easy to

manage and maintain. They will grow off of the water provided by rain and do not

require irrigation. The soil is the right composition so there is no need to import soil or

use fertilizers (Metropolitan Council). “Native plants are hardy enough to survive winter

cold and summer heat” (Metropolitan Council). Additionally, the natural way that a plant

grows could discourages pests, so pesticides are not needed. Maltiz and Maltiz (1998)

describe the natural growth of trees on the Rocky Mountains: “The conditions of the

mountainside - the harsh sun, extreme wind, and short growing season - forces the trees

into a tighter, slower, less succulent habit of growth, which may position them for greater

longevity and greater resistance to pests and diseases” (160). Such benefits make native

plants perfect for the low-maintenance, fast-paced world of today.

Water Conservation and Quality

Water conservation is an important factor in being more sustainable because it

reduces storm water ergo reducing pollution from run-off. Without the need for irrigation,

native plants also play an important role in water conservation and purification.

A major use of water is for irrigation. For example, “in the Twin Cities

metropolitan area, outdoor water use accounts for approximately 20% of total annual

water use. In years with particularly hot and dry summers, outdoor water use may be as

high as 30%” (Metropolitan Council). Lawns and gardens are often full of non-native

plants which require more water than is provided by precipitation in that area. “More than

half of the water used in suburban areas of the United States goes toward the upkeep of

bluegrass lawns” (Maltiz and Maltiz 1998, 94). All of the water consumption is causing

the Ogalalla Aquifer to dry up, resulting in desertification of the western United States.

Water rationing has already been instated in Denver metropolitan areas and in California.

Since native plants are adapted to their region, they grow with the natural rainfall and

need little human-aided irrigation, so the water can stay in the aquifer.

Furthermore, native plants soak up rain water and filter it back into the aquifer.

Although all plants take in water, natives are able to handle the local precipitation

patterns without dying because of flooding and drought. Water catchments, composed of

native plants, reduce the amount of storm water so that the water treatment plants can

manage the amount coming in, especially during heavy downpours. “Plants intercept

runoff, helping filter out nutrients and trapping sediment” (Ryskamp 2014). The filtration

also stops pollutants from building up in streams and lakes, where storm drains lead.

Plants also protect against erosion. Earth-binding root systems prevent washouts

(Root 1985). Roots hold the dirt in place on hill sides and around rivers. Storm water

pipes, direct water to low areas, can be made beautiful and reduce erosion by planting

water-loving plants (Ryskamp 2014). Erosion is also caused when a large amount of

water runs into a river or creek, like during a storm. Water catchments can reduce erosion

by diverting water before it reaches the rivers and creeks. Simply planting native species

can reduce numerous types of erosion.

“Recognizing natural drainage patterns, stabilizes the environment while

enhancing the aesthetic aspect of development projects. Furthermore, post-construction

landscaping costs are minimized” (Root 1985). Sustainable developers recommend

working with the environment for optimal land use and efficiency.

Effects of Urbanization and Fragmentation

The growth of cities and urban sprawl severely impacts vegetated areas. In

regards to water issues, more paved surfaces force water down storm drains, relocating

massive amounts of water, instead of letting the ground soak in the rain. Pollution,

produced by factories, residents, and vehicles, drains with runoff and builds up in the

rivers and lakes where storm drains lead. Therefore, redirecting water to vegetated areas

can filter out some pollutants and reduce the amount of water flooding rivers and lakes.

Another effect of urbanization is fragmentation, when habitats are restricted to an

area due to development. These small isolated patches pose many complications to

biodiversity. Many animal species need large territories to roam and other species only

live deep in forests far from human settlement (Cunningham and Cunningham 2009,

113). Without dense vegetation, the ecosystem can be more susceptible to diseases and

storm damage (Cunningham and Cunningham 2009, 113). Even if we plant native

species, without having a large territory the restored habitat will not be able to support

much biodiversity.

Effects of Global Climate Change

There is a growing problem in the world that is threatening native plant species

and could make them less effective: global climate change. As temperatures in different

regions shift rapidly, native plants cannot always keep pace and could die out or be over

run with invasive species. The cooling or warming of areas means that plants will move

naturally to other regions that have the climate to which they are adapted, such as moving

to higher elevations in mountain regions that experience warming (Barnosky 2009).

Eventually, there may be no higher place to go or less space for the species to occupy.

Global climate change causes other issues, such as the high fluctuations in severe

weather, droughts, and floods. Even drought-resistant plants can feel the impacts of

unnaturally-long, dry periods. High precipitation causes flooding, which can wash-out

plants or drown them. The changing climate could cause the extinction and migration of

native species because they cannot adapt fast enough to the changing temperatures and

weather patterns.

Native Plants Case Example: Kent County, Michigan

Kent County has undergone urbanization and lost many of the original habitat

regions. See Figure 1 for the native landscape circa 1800 in Kent County, Michigan. The

native land of Kent County was originally forests, such as Beech-Sugar Maple, Oak-

Hickory, Mixed Oak Savanna, and White Pine-Mixed Hardwood (Corner and Albert

1997). Mixed hardwood swamp dominated the edges of the Grand River and many types

of swamps scattered the rest of the land (Corner and Albert 1997). Looking at Figure 1

beside Figure 2, it is obvious that the land has drastically changed. The changed land

(white and gray) dominates Figure 2; the majority of these changes are due to

urbanization or agriculture (gray). The few native areas that remain are lowland

deciduous, pine, and some central hardwood.

These effects of environmental degradation are also seen in the change of wetland

areas (Figure 3). Although there are speckled wetlands remaining, large areas have been

lost (shown in red) due to human impacts, urbanization, and agriculture. The remaining

wetlands are smaller and fragmented, causing all of the problems associated with

fragmentation.

Loss of natural habitat is a major factor in animal and plant species extinction.

Declining honey bee populations is a concern in Michigan that ties directly to native

plants. Michigan relies heavily on our pollinators for producing our fruits and vegetables.

However, increased urbanization has decreased the available plant ranges for pollinators,

forcing them to fly farther distances to find food.

The urbanization of Kent County also concerns issues of water management. The

many paved surfaces do not drain off into vegetated areas, but go directly into rivers

through storm drains. This causes problems with pollution, sediments, and flooding of the

Grand River and tributaries in heavy rain storms.

Action is being taken by several initiatives and organizations in Grand Rapids to

restore native landscapes. Plaster Creek Stewards and West Michigan Environmental

Action Council (WMEAC) are two such organizations that are actively promoting

environmental sustainable development, such as the use of native plants. WMEAC was

pushing for an initiative in Grand Rapids that just passed into law, on May 6, 2014. The

initiative will raise residential taxes to be used for road repair. However, the money is not

only going to fix potholes but also toward “storm water features, trees, street lights and

bicycle lanes” (Vande Bunte 2014). Modifications will be made to street curbs and storm

drains to direct water to vegetated areas to reduce runoff (Hertl 2014). These vegetated

areas will likely be native Michigan grasses and plants since they are low maintenance

and adjusted to Michigan precipitation rates.

Conclusion

Although there are few arguments against the use of native plants, the public

needs to be better informed about native plants, development practices need to continue

to increase the use of native landscaping and sustainable development, and global climate

change needs to be monitored and addressed in order to save our native species. Living

with nature will save money and resources from irrigation, fertilizers, and pesticides and

promote biodiversity, therefore creating more resilient ecosystems. “Where you can’t

fight Mother Nature, join her” (Maltiz and Maltiz 1998, 77).

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