Some legumes, such as partridge pea and lespedeza, are an important food source for upland birds. Not only do legumes directly benefit wildlife, but the indirect benefits are there as well. Legume's short and long range benefits to the soil are very important, considering that all living things are dependent on the fertility of the soil for their own well-being. Nitrogen is needed by all plants for growth. Legumes living together withnitrogen-fixing bacteria, called rhizobia, have the ability to transform atmospheric nitrogen into nitrogen in the soil for the plants to use.
Legumes alsoprovide organic matter to the soil as well as providing cover to reduce soil erosion.
There are a large number of legumes that are valuable to wildlife and these can be divided into those that are native to this country and those that are introduced. Trailing wildbean wild licorice scurf pea. Only partridge pea, Illinois bundle-flower, and purple prairie clover can be purchased commercially in this area. Taller legumes such as alfalfa, sweetclover, hairy vetch and sericea lespedeza provide cover for roosting, loafing, escape cover and winter protection. Medium height legumes such as alfalfa, birdsfoot trefoil and red clover are especially valuable as nesting cover, but they will also attract insects providing a high protein food source for young bird chicks.