Declining Invertebrates Threaten Pest Control and Organic Matter Decomposition

A study led by researchers at the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) and Leipzig University has found that the decline in invertebrates, such as insects and arthropods, is negatively impacting important ecosystem services like natural pest control and decomposition of organic matter. Human-caused environmental changes, including habitat loss and chemical pollution, have been driving the global decline of invertebrates. The study used controlled mini-ecosystems to simulate the effects of invertebrate decline and found that as invertebrate biomass decreases, the number of ecosystem services also decreases. Immediate protection measures are necessary to safeguard diverse invertebrate communities and maintain important ecosystem functions.