Importance of the insects for the ecosystem

Importance of the insects for the ecosystem

The importance of insects for our ecosystem cannot be assessed high enough. Insects fulfill numerous irreplaceable functions that are crucial for our survival. They are garbage disposal, pollinators, nutrients, decomposition champions and indicators for our environmental condition. But how exactly does the existence of the insects affect the ecosystem and what contribution do you make to his preservation? In this article we consider the diverse role of insects in our ecosystem and nature as a whole.

insects as pollinator

The role of pollination

One of the best -known functions of the insects is their active activity as pollinators. Pollination is the process in which pollen is transported from the male flower to female flower. This process is essential for the sexual reproduction of many plants. Without this pollination, most plants would not bear fruit or produce seeds.

insects and pollination

Although there are many animals that contribute to pollination, insects are by far the most productive pollinators. Honey bees are probably the best -known pollinators, but also many wild bees, butterflies, beetles and other insects take part in this activity. In fact, according to the Federal Nature Conservation Office, around 80 percent of the flowering plants occurring in Europe are dependent on pollination by insects.

insects as a source of food

nutrient suppliers in the

Insects are an important source of food for a variety of animals. Bird species, bats, spiders, amphibians and reptiles are just a few of the animals that feed on insects. Some mammals, such as hedgehogs or bats, also eat insects. Without insects, these animals would starve or would have to look for new habitats due to the lack of food.

species dependent on insects

Some animal species even rely entirely on the presence of certain types of insects. For example, the Maivogel, whose larvae mainly feed on aphids, or certain bird species that almost exclusively eat insects.

insects as a decomposition

meaning of decomposition

Decomposition is an indispensable process in every ecosystem. It ensures that dead plants, animals and other organic materials are broken down into their basic chemical components. These basic elements are then absorbed by plants and used to produce new organic materials.

insects and decomposition

Insects play a crucial role in decomposition. They crush dead organic material and help to reduce these materials faster. They also carry microorganisms that help to decompose organic matter. Above all, they are beetles and flies that contribute to decomposition with their larvae.

insects as bioindicators

What are bioindicators?

Bioindicators are types or groups of species whose condition provides information about the quality of an ecosystem or a landscape. You can show us how healthy or stressed an environment is.

insects as bioindicators

Insects are ideal as organic indicators. Your short life cycles and your sensitivity to environmental changes make you important indicators of environmental changes. Based on the biodiversity and frequency of insects in a certain area, the condition of this ecosystem can be assessed.

conclusion

The importance of insects for our ecosystem is undisputed. They perform important tasks in pollination, food chain, decomposition and the assessment of environmental health. Unfortunately, various factors, such as pesticide use, habitat loss and climate change, lead to a dramatic decline in insect populations worldwide. This in turn has a serious impact on the health of our ecosystems. By protecting and promoting insect variety, we can help to preserve the stability of our ecosystems and to secure their continued existence for future generations.