May 19th, 2026Hepburn Wildlife Shelter
How to increase biodiversity in a small way…in your space.
We live in an era where we increasingly hear about the loss of biodiversity due to human actions. But there is some action you can take where you live to make a difference to the small creatures that also call your block home.
We are at that time of year where fire restrictions have been lifted and we are looking at the piles of leaves and branches that have accumulated on our property. Instead of setting fire to these branches and piles of leaves, consider who or what may have made it their home or refuge.
Jon Rowdon from the Hepburn Wildlife Shelter says that an echidna may make a burrow under these piles, and at this time of year the burrow could still contain a puggle. This puggle will most likely not survive if it is disturbed or burnt. Lizards looking for a secure place to brumate over winter may have also moved in, as also will frogs seeking moist secure places to burrow, having finished breeding.
Many different species of invertebrates will also be present breeding and hibernating. The invertebrates, which are the most numerous species on earth, are a highly desirable food source for foraging birds, reptiles, frogs and small mammals such as antechinus and phascogales.
If you leave your leaf and branch pile in place to rot down over time, you will be increasing the available food on your property for the animals that may live there or be passing through. Many different invertebrates are involved in the breakdown of organic matter and they are all a food source to something else. These invertebrates are known as decomposers, and they range in size from beetles and millipedes to earthworms and nematodes. They break the organic matter into smaller and smaller pieces by eating, digesting and then excreting it, where it then becomes a food source for other invertebrate.
Fungi and bacteria are also vitally important decomposers involved in the breakdown of organic matter. Each decomposer will have a specific role in the decomposition and once the organic matter has decomposed it will then become food for your soil, which will then provide nutrients to the plants growing in the soil. This is an important cycle that is broken when we rake up and burn our leaves and branches.
If we want to do something about our loss of biodiversity, we can start at home by not interrupting this natural cycle of life, death and decay in nature.
Dr Marita McGuirk is a field ecologist and environmental scientist, and a volunteer at the Hepburn Wildlife Shelter. Marita writes monthly columns about the shelter and the animals it cares for. If you would like to donate or volunteer, or just to find out more information, head to www.hepburnwildlifeshelter.org
