Re: Native Plant Rescue

**j* e* m* s* <h*@sbcglobal.net>**

I reviewed Tallamy's book in the recent issue of Indiana Living Green:
http://www.indianalivinggreen.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=22&Itemid=55

jems


>Gene and Carolyn, may I put in my 2-cents?
>
>I heard Dr Tallamy speak at the Millersville (Pa.) conference on Native 
>Plants in the Landscape last summer, and was very impressed -- maybe 
>depressed 
>would be a better word -- with his research numbers. His book wasn't 
>out at the 
>time, and I haven't yet read it, I have to admit. But I included some of what
>he  said at the conference in a column written shortly after that, for
>International  Pollinator Week
>(_http://www.greaterphiladelphiagardens.org/column.asp?ColumnID=27_
>(http://www.greaterphiladelphiagardens.org/column.asp?ColumnID=27) 
>is  the link). But below is the relevant bit, if you are interested. 
>(His
>own web  site is _http://copland.udel.edu/%7Edtallamy/_
>(http://copland.udel.edu/~dtallamy/) .)
>
>Denise Cowie in Philadelphia
>_www.greaterphiladelphiagardens.org_
>(http://www.greaterphiladelphiagardens.org) 
>
>>From the column:
>
>Quoting some scary statistics
>Professor Doug Tallamy made a similar  point when he addressed the annual
>Native Plants in the Landscape Conference at  Millersville 
>University on June 8
>(a conference for which Bartram's Garden and  the Mt. Cuba Center are
>co-sponsors).
>Tallamy is chair of the Department of  Entomology and Wildlife Ecology of the
>University of Delaware in Newark, and he  knows his insects. He's been
>studying their interaction with plants for years  (his book, 
>Bringing Nature Home,
>will be published by Timber Press this  summer), and he quotes some scary
>figures on habitat loss and the impact of  alien plant species.
>"Insects that evolved in eastern North America cannot  survive on plants from
>Europe or Asia," he told the conference. But less than  half of the plant
>genera in the mid-Atlantic states are natives.
>
>Seeking 'Lepidoptera abundance'
>Talking of "Lepidoptera abundance" [the  prevalence of butterflies and
>moths, both pollinators], he said that there are  3,500 species of 
>caterpillars in
>the mid-Atlantic.
>Research had shown that  "aliens supported 4.5 species on average, and
>natives supported more than 70  species on average," he said, "which 
>means that
>natives support more than 29  times as many caterpillars as aliens."
>Fewer caterpillars doesn't only mean  fewer butterflies and moths as
>pollinators, it means fewer birds, too, because  birds eat the caterpillars.
>
>Is there a solution?
>What to do? Well, you could convert some of your  lawns to
>pollinator-supporting gardens, creating corridors from one backyard 
>habitat to another until
>you have a much larger habitat, as suggested by the  National Wildlife
>Federation. And you can grow more native plants, especially  trees 
>and shrubs - which
>support greater numbers of insects than herbaceous  perennials.
>More important than planting native perennials, says Tallamy, is  growing
>native shrubs and trees - because they support more species. Among the  most
>valuable native woodies, he points out, an oak tree supports 517  Lepidoptera
>species, a willow supports 456, cherry and plum trees 448, birch 
>413, and so on.
>Non-native woodies simply cannot compete with those numbers.  Nowhere near it.
>
>Pollinator populations on decline
>Last October, the National Academy of  Science issued a report that said
>long-term population trends for some North  American pollinators - 
>bees, birds,
>bats, and other animals and insects that  spread pollen so plant fertilization
>can occur - are "demonstrably  downward."
>The report by the National Research Council said research  indicates
>shortages of pollinators for agriculture already exist, and that 
>decreases in wild
>pollinator populations could disrupt ecosystems in the future. 
>"Despite its apparent lack of marquee appeal, a decline in pollinator 
>populations is one form of global change that actually has credible 
>potential to 
>alter the shape and structure of terrestrial ecosystems," said 
>committee chair 
>May R. Berenbaum of the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
>
>
>
>In a message dated 1/4/2008 10:17:44 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, 
>genebush@netsurfusa.net writes:
>
>Hello  Carolyn,
>I have seen this book mentioned elsewhere and the  title came up at
>dinner here over the holidays with guests. Has anyone  read the chapter on
>"Why Can't Insect Eat Alien Plants"? Pretty broad  statement at face value.
>Obviously insects DO eat alien plants, pollinate  and feed. So, is he saying
>they cannot or is he stating the consequences  of the behavior? Inquiring
>minds and all that....
>Gene E.  Bush
>Munchkin Nursery & Gardens,  llc
>www.munchkinnursery.com
>genebush@munchkinnursery.com
>Zone  6/5  Southern Indiana
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From:  "Carolyn Ulrich" <cultivated@sbcglobal.net>
>Subject: Re: [GWL] Native  Plant Rescue
>
>
>>  Continuing this thread, I'd like to recommend the  new book by Douglas
>>  Tallamy of Univ of Delaware--Bringing Nature Home:  How Native Plants
>>  Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens (Timber), especially  the chapter "Why
>>  Can't Insect Eat Alien Plants?" It's all about  pollination. Habitat
>>  loss is scary stuff.
>>  Carolyn  Ulrich
>
>
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________________________________________
Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
Garden writer, speaker, author, photographer
Region III Director Garden Writers Association
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