Where Did All the Garden Wildlife Go? Exploring the Disappearance of Once-Common Species
- Dean Weiss
- Mar 5
- 6 min read
I've delayed writing this article for some time until I saw a Facebook post by former Gqeberha Mayor, Retief Odendaal, about how rare chameleon sightings have become. Many individuals can likely recall a childhood when certain garden wildlife was abundant. However, if asked when they last encountered these elusive creatures, most would struggle to remember. In the past, people spent significantly more time outdoors. Children played outside, climbed trees, and came home when the streetlights turned on. In contrast, today many spend most of their time at a desk or in an office, and children are often fixated on various screens.
Garden wildlife that is seldom seen nowadays :
Chameleons
Chameleons are struggling to survive due to human activities impacting their habitats. Urban development, agriculture, and construction fragment forests, depriving them of essential areas for food, shelter, and reproduction. Pesticides exacerbate the situation by eliminating the insects they feed on, affecting their health and reproductive capabilities. Additionally, they face habitat loss, threats from roads, hunting by pets, and over-collection for the pet trade, confining them to small, unsustainable areas. As humans continue to expand and harm the environment, the availability of the dense vegetation and humidity they require is diminishing, further threatening their survival.
Praying Mantis
Approximately 2,000 mantis species flourish across various habitats worldwide, excluding Antarctica, from rainforests to deserts. At present, none face the threat of extinction. Several countries actively protect certain species of praying mantis to preserve biodiversity in the face of natural habitat loss and human pesticide use. These protections play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance, as mantises effectively control pest populations, like aphids, caterpillars, moths, grasshoppers, flies, beetles, crickets and leafhoppers, safeguarding the health and well-being of both humans and plants.
Butterflies
The plants you choose for your garden may not always be suitable for the local butterfly species, or you might be selecting plants for a butterfly that aren't indigenous to your area. Both butterflies and plants are regional, with some areas boasting a high concentration of some butterflies while others have very few or none.
Globally, butterfly populations are declining mainly due to habitat loss caused by modern agricultural and forestry practices, urban development, and the conversion of land for crops, which leads to the disappearance of flowers, the main food for butterflies.
Tok-tokkies
The Tok-tokkie is likely the one large flightless beetle species I most fondly recall from my youth in King Williams Town. They are a variety of Darkling beetles, named after the distinct tapping noises they make on the ground with their abdomens.
Southern Africa is home to almost 3,500 species of tok-tokkies. These beetles use their shells to protect them from heat and help them retain moisture. They have also adapted to life in arid environments by fusing their wings to further retain moisture. Tok-tokkies are nowadays predominantly located in Namibia and the Namib Desert.
Ladybird
Ladybirds, also known as ladybugs or lady beetles, are among the most beloved insects found in our gardens. Their presence signifies a healthy and diverse ecosystem. They benefit humans by effectively preying on aphids, mites, and whiteflies, and then they serve as a vital food source for numerous other insects, birds, and small mammals.
Ladybirds come in different shapes and sizes, and many species are found in South Africa. However, there are significant connections between the rise of non-native ladybug populations in areas that experience the decline of indigenous species of vegetation. Factors such as habitat loss, environmental degradation, and pesticide use contribute to the overall decrease in populations of native ladybirds.
Dragonflies
Due to urban, agricultural, and industrial development, the loss of wetland habitat threatens global dragonfly populations. Wetlands are essential for dragonfly breeding, and the destruction of wetlands reduces their resources. Since dragonflies play a role in keeping water sources clean, their decline means rising water pollution and degraded water quality in the existing wetlands.
Habitat fragmentation isolates dragonfly groups, reducing genetic diversity within the species and increasing their susceptibility to disease. Dragonflies control mosquito populations and indicate ecosystem health; their decline is a warning sign of broader environmental issues. Conservation, sustainable land use, wetland restoration, and public education are needed for their protection.
Locusts
In my youth, I collected locusts of various colors and sizes in jars, observing their behaviours and intricate wing patterns. Although locusts are less common in gardens today, a recent outbreak of locust plagues in the Eastern Cape and neighbouring provinces highlights the need for developing strategies we can use to manage their numbers sustainably. These extreme, sudden outbreaks of huge populations jeopardize farmers' livelihoods and local economies. However, spraying with pesticides is not the answer to controlling them because, despite being pests, locusts are crucial for the ecosystem, serving as food for birds and animals and enriching soil fertility with their excrement.
Earthworms
I fondly remember waking up early in the morning and heading to our backyard, where the dew-covered grass was interspaced with fresh worm castings. I would try to catch earthworms by snatching up their soft, wet castings with my toes. Unfortunately, these creatures are becoming rarer as extreme temperatures threaten their survival. They become less active at temperatures below 10°C and stop reproducing when air temperature exceeds 40°C. Droughts and heat waves pose a serious global threat to earthworms.
Earthworms feed on organic matter, such as plant roots, and their waste enriches the soil, creating a microbe-rich environment. The tunnels created by earthworms improve soil by introducing oxygen, aiding in water drainage, and providing space for plant roots to grow. Gardeners often cultivate earthworms because their castings enrich the soil's fertility.
What has led to the declining numbers of the chameleon?
Habitat loss and fragmentation affect wildlife, including chameleons. When natural habitats are cleared for development, chameleons may be killed or forced to flee with nowhere to go. They often cross roads and rarely survive. Habitat loss also reduces the availability of their prey.
Domestic cats can decimate local chameleon populations, easily killing them. A single cat can eradicate a population in a garden within months.
Suburban gardens with manicured lawns, high walls, and electric fences pose a threat to chameleons. The lack of trees and shrubs drives chameleons onto lawns, making them more vulnerable, while wild creepers, despite being sometimes disliked, provide essential habitats.
Pesticides and insecticides harm chameleons, as they consume poisoned insects. They become poisoned in a similar way to owls when they eat poisoned rats.
The illegal trade of chameleons is thriving in South Africa. Large numbers are collected and sold, perpetuating a harmful cycle. Purchasing chameleons from traders does not benefit the species.
Fear and superstition contribute to chameleon decline. Some cultures mistakenly view them as dangerous or venomous, leading to their senseless killing due to superstitions.
SURVEY
Which of the following have you not seen in the past 6 months?
- 0%Chameleons
- 0%Praying Mantis
- 0%Butterflies
- 0%Tok-tokkies
You can vote for more than one answer.
CONCLUSION
While I considered which garden wildlife species to mention in this article, a couple didn't make the cut; these included frogs, lizards, stick insects, Christmas beetles, grasshoppers, and songololos. Birds were also omitted because I believe they have adapted well to gardens, perching on fences, rooftops, and cables despite the lack of trees. Even with fewer insects, they are nourished by humans providing bird seed, leftover bread, and bird baths.
The reduction of wildlife in our gardens mainly results from what we plant. As cities grow, humans and their homes occupy more biodiverse land. Our garden designs frequently disregard nature, favouring large lawns and ornamental, invasive plants while using pesticides to eradicate insects and other garden pests. Without biodiversity, much of your garden wildlife will eventually depart, looking for more friendly, natural spaces with more favourable conditions.
To attract wildlife back to your garden, take proactive steps to create a habitat with food, water, shelter, and breeding grounds for bugs. Plant indigenous flowers, shrubs, and trees suited to local conditions to support biodiversity. Incorporate bird feeders, butterfly gardens, bee hotels, and water sources like bird baths into your landscaping. Avoid using chemical fertilisers and pesticides to protect beneficial insects and pollinators. Allow parts of your garden to grow wild to provide habitats for various species. Use mulch and compost to enrich soil and support plant growth. These efforts will make your garden look better and support local ecosystems, reversing biodiversity loss and creating an outdoor space that's full of life.
In the comments below, share with us one bug-friendly thing you have in your garden.
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