From Backyard to Ocean – how does helping habitat in your patch help the ocean?

The land, aquatic and ocean ecosystems are intricately connected.

What happens in our backyards and neighbourhoods can influence the health of ecosystems far beyond our fences — all the way to our creeks, estuaries and coastal waters.

When we create habitat by planting local native species, protecting healthy soils and increasing vegetation, we’re doing more than providing food and shelter for birds, butterflies, bees and other wildlife.

We’re also helping restore some of the natural processes that support healthy waterways and marine ecosystems.

Native plants, insects, birds and other wildlife form part of interconnected food webs. Many species move between terrestrial and aquatic environments, and are important species that link different habitats through the food webs.

In addition, vegetation located along waterways provides food, shelter and organic material that can support aquatic life.

Healthy vegetation and soils also help manage rainwater, reducing erosion and the movement of sediment into waterways. This is particularly important for downstream habitats such as seagrass meadows, which depend on sufficient sunlight reaching underwater plants.

Every garden, courtyard and green space has the potential to become part of a wider network of habitat.

By creating wildlife-friendly spaces, we can help:

• Reconnect fragmented habitats: Native gardens can act as stepping stones between larger natural areas, helping birds, pollinators and other wildlife move through our urban landscapes.
• Support biodiversity: Diverse native vegetation provides food, shelter and breeding opportunities for wildlife, helping strengthen local ecosystems.
• Protect our soils: Plant roots, groundcovers and leaf litter help stabilise soil, reduce erosion and support healthy soil ecosystems.
• Support healthier waterways: Vegetation and healthy soils can help rainwater soak into the ground, slow surface runoff and reduce the movement of sediment into creeks and estuaries.
• Build climate resilience: Trees and other vegetation provide shade, cool local environments and help ecosystems better withstand environmental change.