[download the tool for free below.]
We've developed the Basic Backyard Biodiversity Assessment tool to help you gauge the biodiversity in your yard and provide you with an initial first step in managing your plan for increasing your yard's biodiversity. What gets measured, gets managed! This easy-to-use tool is designed for anyone interested in understanding and enhancing the ecological health of their backyard.
What is the Basic Backyard Biodiversity Assessment?
The Basic Backyard Biodiversity Assessment is a simple scoring system that allows you to evaluate your backyard's biodiversity based on four key categories:
Native Plant Diversity
Pollinator Attraction
Wildlife Variety
Ecological Services
By assessing your backyard in each of these categories, you can identify areas where improvements can be made and track your progress over time. The tool assigns scores ranging from 0 to 20 points for each category, resulting in a total score between 0 and 80 points. This total score can then be used to interpret the overall level of biodiversity in your backyard.
Who is this tool for?
This tool is for anyone interested in creating a more biodiverse and ecologically healthy backyard. Whether you're a gardening enthusiast, a homeowner looking to support local wildlife, or someone who simply wants to make a positive impact on the environment, this assessment can help guide your efforts and provide insight into the effectiveness of your current backyard ecosystem.
How to use the Basic Backyard Biodiversity Assessment tool:
To use the tool, start by copying the Biodiversity Score Card into a spreadsheet or printing it out. Then, follow these steps:
Observe and analyze your backyard, taking note of the plants, pollinators, and wildlife present.
For each category, assign a score based on the provided scoring criteria with quantified metrics.
Add up the points from each category to determine your total score.
Refer to the interpreting the score section to understand your backyard's current level of biodiversity.
Once you've assessed your backyard's biodiversity, use the results to guide your actions and improvements. For example, if you scored low in Native Plant Diversity, you may want to focus on planting more native species to support local ecosystems. Similarly, if your Pollinator Attraction score is low, consider adding more flowering plants to provide food for pollinators.
The Basic Backyard Biodiversity Assessment tool is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to create a more sustainable and ecologically rich backyard. By understanding your garden's current state and focusing on areas that need improvement, you can work towards creating a backyard that supports a diverse range of plant and animal species, benefiting both your local ecosystem and the planet as a whole.