Blog: Are plants the real stars of zoos?

Gemma Marriage (Head of Land & Conservation at Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park) is joined by BIAZA's Nicky Needham to offer a peek into the evolving world of zoo horticulture:

Over the years horticulture in zoos has evolved from being a largely decorative form of traditional gardening, showcasing plants from around the world alongside their animal counterparts, to creating a habitat and home for many species.

Therefore, horticulture is a much more ecologically aware and integral part of immersive, naturalistic habitat design. As zoo horticulturists we work alongside keepers, vets, engineers and educators to establish and maintain what are now an essential components of modern zoo design. Our work contributes directly to animal welfare, supporting natural behaviours, enrichment and diets, as well as conservation, education and sustainability, culminating towards a fundamental part of the visitor experience.

In modern zoos, healthy animals need healthy habitats. Plants enrich animal lives by providing shade and shelter, visual barriers, browsing material and opportunities for climbing, digging, and nesting. Naturalistic plantings promote natural behaviours—which is essential in high quality animal care.

Zoo horticulture is not just a support service—it’s a conservation discipline in its own right. It can support the welfare of threatened animal species but also lead to direct conservation of plant species such as the propagation and reintroduction the Critically Endangered Cambrian cotoneaster (Cotoneaster cambricus) by Chester Zoo.

Horticulturalists in zoos also provide indirect support for animal reintroductions, for species with very specific tastes such as planting of Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) for the Endangered Tansy beetle (Chrysolina graminis), both were once common species which sadly share a declining distribution.

As horticulturalists we have to be increasingly innovative, contributing to the development and management of living habitats, as opposed to static displays. New technology such as remote environmental sensors, automated irrigation and biological control agents are increasingly being used to manage plant health. In a sector very conscious of climate change and carbon targets, zoo horticulture will help manage regenerative systems: composting, natural water filtration, carbon sequestration and green infrastructure such as green roofs, living walls and carbon-negative landscapes. Not to mention providing the perfect tool to educate the public about sustainable gardening, rewilding, and urban greening!

We’re incredibly lucky in the UK that so many of our zoos are demonstrating such progressive work, from the rewilding themes and woodland walkways at Bristol Zoo Project, to the indoor biomes of Living Rainforest in Berkshire and the landscape species-rich lawns and meadows at Marwell Zoo.   

Into the future we can foresee more plant-focused conservation partnerships for zoos and wildlife parks alongside their animal conservation projects. Increasing collaborations both with governmental sectors and NGOs such as botanic gardens, universities and RHS adds value to both partners ambitions, which has a greater impact of real grassroots conservation initiatives.

With rewilding a popular ‘trending’ concept, zoo horticulture is ideally placed to shine a spotlight on managing and conserving rare British and Irish plant species within BIAZA accredited sites.

Here at Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park, we are working with the Suffolk Tree Warden Network on establishing a new black poplar clone bank, helping to increase the genetic diversity of this rare and important landscape tree species in East Anglia. The growing recognition of plants as vital parts of conservation, habitat design, and ecological storytelling marks a major shift in how zoos can act as guardians of biodiversity as a whole, not just the headlining animal species.

Conservation requires whole ecosystem thinking, a ‘One Plan Approach’, as advocated by the IUCN. You can’t protect gorillas without protecting forests—you can’t care for lemurs without providing them the trees they thrive in. Therefore plants should really be the stars of the show, as without conserving and protecting our very special flora, there would be no fauna!

- Gemma Marriage – Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park, Head of land & conservation

- Nicky Needham – BIAZA, Head of Species Management & Conservation

All blogs reflect the views of their author and are not necessarily a reflection of BIAZA's position