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Plants that are native to the prairies have deeper roots than those that are introduced, allowing them to reach further into the soil for moisture and nutrients. Some prairie plants may be small, but their roots can extend two to four meters below the soil compared to traditional lawn grasses which may only reach a few inches into the earth. These roots act as anchors, holding together the layers of soil and helping to maintain soil health.
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DEEP
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CONSERVE
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Native plants, who have adapted over many years to grow and thrive on the prairies, play a key role in water conservation. Deeper roots mean they can access moisture further below the earth during periods of drought. By adding native plants to the garden or as lawn alternatives, the need to water is greatly reduced or not needed at all. No sprinklers necessary! The ground cover of native plants above the earth helps to retain moisture in the soil and also reduces erosion.
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Rainfall and run-off from yards and streets, both urban and rural, can contain harmful contaminants and minerals, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, that devastate our lakes and rivers if they are not filtered out. Native plants’ deep root systems create pores in the soil which allow more water to penetrate through the ground than if it were bare or covered in monocultures. This allows rain water and run-off to get absorbed into the soil and contaminants are filtered out before it reaches these bodies of water.
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WATER
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CARBON
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Carbon sequestering is a biological process that removes carbon from the atmosphere and fixes it into the plants and soil, which reduces the amount of carbon left in the atmosphere to trap heat and warm the planet. Prairies are capable of sequestering significant amounts of carbon by storing captured carbon underground in their root systems, making these stores less vulnerable to natural phenomena such as wildfires which re-release carbon back into the atmosphere.
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Pollinators (bees, beetles, butterflies, skippers, wasps, flies, birds, etc.) are essential to support all life on earth. We need them to produce food and to keep our plants, air, and water healthy. Many pollinators are selective about which plants they choose to visit, lay their eggs on, or consume. Some pollinators need specific host plants. For example, the caterpillars of endangered monarch butterflies exclusively eat milkweed. By planting native species, you are supporting native pollinators who rely on the plants they co-evolved with.
Check out Bee Better Manitoba for more info on the importance of pollinators! |
SUPPORT
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SUPPORT
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Native plants have evolved alongside local wildlife species in the prairies for many years. One native plant species can contain the shelter and food for a wide variety of insects which in turn are a food source for other animals, like birds. Invasive, introduced, or non-native plants have not evolved with the local wildlife and therefore are not likely to be suitable food options. Every time we replace a non-native plant with that of a native, we improve the productivity of the local food web.
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Lawns and gardens are areas that typically require an abundance of labor intensive upkeep. Native plants have adapted to thrive in the local climate, therefore they require less watering and no fertilizers or pesticides are necessary. Once your prairie matures (about three to five years old), it will require minimal maintenance. In the first year of your prairie, your plants’ roots will grow two to three times their above ground height! Once those strong root systems are established, your prairie will rarely need to be watered!
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LOW
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