Awareness for Insect Conservation, with a Short Presentation of Relevant Ideal Organizations

Abstract

Insects are essential to our planet. They are the small organisms that “run the world,” at least in many ecosystems. Their ecosystem services are many: They pollinate plants and transfer seeds, and they are necessary for human food and agricultural growth and, as a result, have an effect on the economy. Every insect has a function to play in the global ecology, and the extinction of even a small number of species might have a large impact on biodiversity. Human removal of forests, expansion of agriculture, industrialization, and commercialization reduce insect diversity. Land use change, pesticides, and pollution seem to be the biggest threats to insects. However, climate change may eventually become a still larger threat. Here, we list various measures to raise the general awareness for insects and their needs for conservation. The quantity and quality of habitats are typically the main considerations in insect population support strategies. The creation, preservation, and reunification of fragmented ecosystems are additional strategies to raise sustainability. We list a number of organizations that work for protection of threatened insects and for insect diversity in general. These organizations are important also in raising the general awareness for, and respect for, the insect world.