Wetland areas are a beneficial environmental community. They play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. Their structure and flora filter water, create wildlife habitat, and mitigate flood impact.
Human activities and climate change threaten these vital ecosystems. For successful wetland restoration, one element stands out as key. The use of native plants. This blog post explains why the cornerstone of wetland restoration is native plants and how they contribute to site success.
Native Plants Support Biodiverse Flora and Fauna
Native plants are vital for working wetland ecosystems. They serve as the basis for a complex web of interactions that support local flora and fauna. Native plants and wildlife co-evolved and rely on each other for survival. Disruptions in the natural processes between the two create cascades of adverse effects. Native plants provide the needed food, shelter, and cover to sustain an array of species.
During restoration projects, starting with native plants helps reestablish these intricate ecological connections. Non-native plants may lack relationships that support local wildlife. This lack of support can cause disruptions in the food chain and a decline in biodiversity.
Browse Forrest Keeling’s Native Plant Nursery Inventory
Adaptation to Local Conditions
Native plants are unique. They evolved to thrive in natural communities: specific climates, soils, and water conditions. Wetlands are one such natural community.
Exotic plants (non-natives) may struggle to acclimate to wetland environments. Or, they may outcompete native species. Either scenario can threaten the success of wetland restoration.
Forrest Keeling can help you choose native plants for your restoration site. Our RPM-produced plants have unprecedented survival rates on even the toughest sites. Our native plants are the benchmark for restoration projects. We’re North America’s leading native plant nursery.
Soil Stabilization and Erosion Control
Wetlands are essential for protection against soil erosion. Native plants have extensive root systems that help bind the soil together. This helps prevent erosion caused by water currents and perpetual wave action. Native wetland plants have adapted to saturated, unstable, and fluctuating water levels.This allows them to thrive in wetland environments even during seasonal flooding.
Nutrient Cycling and Filtration
Ecologists and biologists refer to wetlands as ‘Earth’s kidneys’. They can filter pollutants that could contaminate larger water sources. Native plants are the key for these ecosystems to perform this function. Native wetland plant roots create a mesh-like structure. Those roots trap impurities and absorb and process nutrients.
Wetland Habitat Restoration Starts from the Ground Up
Wetlands are a unique blend of water and land. They represent a critical habitat and sanctuary for countless diverse wildlife species. Waterfowl and wading birds find food and nesting grounds in their rich vegetation. Amphibians, including frogs and salamanders, rely on wetlands. Their interconnected water systems are vital for breeding and development. Fish species thrive in the nutrient-rich waters. They also use them as spawning and nursery grounds. Insects, crucial to the broader food web, flourish amid the wetlands’ lush vegetation.
Native wetland plants are critical for a successful restoration project. They are the building blocks for the broad, ecological wellness of a wetland site.
Begin Your Wetland Project at Forrest Keeling Native Plant Nursery
We grow a vast selection of native plants. We like to say that ‘natives are our brand’. They are important to our mission to ‘restore Earth’s ecosystem one tree at a time’. We have the inventory and expertise to help you with restoration projects of any scope.
Contact a team member during the planning phase of your wetland restoration efforts. We can give recommendations and information on native plant availability.
Forrest Keeling… it’s where the best trees begin!