Invertebrate Life in the Anthropocene

The planet currently faces a biodiversity crises, with many arguing that we are on the cusp of a sixth mass extinction event. Our understanding of this crisis is hampered, however, by a lack of detailed information about species decline, especially for invertebrates. Indeed, a case is made in this chapter that invertebrates have been relatively neglected in conservation science, so a clear picture of their status is difficult to establish. Nonetheless, what available research does suggest is that many invertebrate species are in decline. The causes of invertebrate declines are generally well-known, with critical roles for habitat loss (via land and sea use change), pollution, and global heating. The consequences of these declines are less clear, but, given the critical role that invertebrates play in ecosystem functioning, a loss of invertebrate species is likely to have profound impacts on the various ‘ecosystem services’ that invertebrates provide. I argue that understanding the nature, extent, and causes of invertebrate declines are an essential component in achieving invertebrate justice.