Consequences of Insect Declines and Loss

The consequences of insect declines and losses are far-reaching, uncertain, and often difficult to predict and define in other than very general terms. The various ‘ecological services’ provided by insects involve their numerous interactions with other species, and on which the integrity of many ecological communities depends. Processes such as pollination, decomposition, pest control, and others depend largely on insect activity. Amongst these, losses of pollinators have attracted wide attention as a threat to global human food supply; pollinators have become an important ‘flagship functional group’ in promoting insect conservation. The wider variety of ecological roles involving insects is outlined in this chapter, and the possible consequences of insect declines are discussed.