Plants as Protection

Ecological Function #2

A picture containing fruit, laying

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Plants as Protection:

If we observe carefully, we soon learn that certain types of animals tend to hide in specific places – under a leaf, in a thicket of shrubs, or under a fallen log.
Most of us have learned that specialist insects like monarch caterpillars can take advantage of a plant’s defensive chemicals, ingesting them as they eat milkweed leaves and then using them for their own self-defense against birds and other predators.
Certain plant communities, such as wild meadows, provide cover (and food) for beneficial species that perform essential “ecosystem services” including pollination. In fact, this is one of the reasons why meadow species (sometimes called “insectaries”) are intentionally cultivated next to crops in different types of sustainable agriculture. Insectaries can also provide habitat for beneficial species that prey on crop pests.
We marvel at examples of biomimicry, where an animal species’ coloration or behavior pattern enables it to blend with a specific plant habitat.

Implications for Gardeners:

Diversify your garden to provide many different types of cover for wildlife, especially beneficial species that serve as pollinators or predators of pests. The Xerces Society advocates for pollinator conservation and offers excellent resources for gardeners.
Consider adding specific host plants, such as milkweed species, that serve as cover, food, and sources of chemical defenses for specialist insects, such as the monarch. Monarch Watch has excellent resources for gardeners who want to lend a hand to this newly endangered species.