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Native trees 'vital for nature' - 08/09/09

A study found that small suburban gardens are as vital to the conservation of nature in Britain as large ones.

After surveying 61 gardens in Sheffield between 1999 and 2002, researchers discovered that small gardens were as crucial for plants and animals as large ones, and hosted a much richer range of life than modern ones.

As many as 1,166 kinds of plant, equalling more than two-thirds of native flora, and 700 species of invertebrates were identified.

The study revealed that 42% of plants on average were native to Britain, while many more came from other parts of the world including Asia and North America.

Dr Ken Thompson, from the University of Sheffield, who led the BUGS study, said: "If you are comparing gardens with an equivalent area of modern intensive farming, then gardens are much, much better in terms of everything you measure, whether it is spiders, bugs or birds."

He added, while giving tips at the British Science Festival at the University of Surrey in Guildford, that from a biodiversity perspective, a housing estate could improve most farmland.

He said: "The top thing is to grow more, big shrubs and trees, which massively increase the volume of vegetation in your garden. A lot of vegetation means a lot of places to live and a lot of stuff to eat."

     

• Native trees 'vital for nature' - 08/09/09
• Britons urge more 'green' measures - 02/09/09
• Urban residents urged to keep bees - 05/08/09
• Britain 'a nation of garden lovers' - 03/08/09
• Two million trees needed for London - 31/07/09

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  Silver Birch Tree Gift

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  Known to the Ancient Celts as the 'Lady of the Woods' the Silver Birch Tree is said to have a protective influence and is symbolic of new birth, fert...

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  The Crab Apple Tree or the 'Tree of Love' as it was known to the Ancient Celts.
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