Every little helps in fight to protect island’s biodiversity

As the volunteers began their annual cutting back of hemlock water dropwort at the National Trust’s orchid field in Talbot Valley, Miss Salmon echoed the comments of a United Nations report published by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services last week.

This warned that some one million species of plants and animals face imminent extinction if steps are not taken to halt man’s impact on biodiversity.

Protecting the island’s biodiversity is at the heart of the GCV’s work, and every two weeks all year round they can be found engaged on activities to maintain a range of natural areas.

The Talbot Valley orchid field was a good example of a small area that supported a large range of wild flowers and creatures, said Miss Salmon.

As well as the orchids, which are due to bloom this month and next, there are meadow buttercups, ragged robin, iris, sorrel, plantain and campion.

The field is a good place to see butterflies, but it also serves as home to Guernsey voles and many invertebrates. Buzzards are regularly seen flying overhead looking for food, too.

‘It’s a whole ecosystem,’ said Miss Salmon. ‘This kind of habitat has really diminished in the island, which is why it’s so important to keep it as it is,’ she added.

Following the recent call to arms from the IPBES report, islanders can play their part too, no matter how small an area they might tend.

While those with gardens can keep a part of them wild to encourage native plants and insects, even something as small as a potted area outside a front door or a window box can be planted with native wild plants.

‘Not using pesticides or herbicides will really help biodiversity in your own garden.’

Cutting back the hemlock water dropwort would keep it from spreading – if left unchecked it could take over the whole area.

. for information, visit www.gcv.org.uk or find the group on Facebook.