Insects and Ecosystem Services: What We Know, What We Miss, and How to Find Out

Insects are declining in abundance, diversity, and biomass across ecosystems worldwide, raising concerns not only for biodiversity but also for the many ecosystem services—also described as Nature’s Contributions to People - that support human well-being. Public alarm over these declines reflects the cultural and emotional value that society places on insects, yet their importance extends far beyond charismatic pollinators. Insects contribute directly and indirectly to a broad suite of ecosystem services, but these contributions remain under-recognized and insufficiently quantified. Comparative studies suggest that herbivorous insects, in particular, are among the groups most consistently linked to beneficial service proxies, underscoring their central role in ecosystem multifunctionality. However, major knowledge gaps persist regarding how different insect groups jointly shape ecosystem functions and how restoring insect populations might rebuild multiple ecosystem services across environmental contexts.

In this talk, we will synthesize current understanding of the diverse pathways through which insects provide ecosystem services and support human well-being. Direct contributions include culturally valued interactions with butterflies, grasshoppers or bees, which foster connection to nature and enhance psychological well-being. Indirect contributions arise for example through insects’ pervasive influence on ecosystem processes: herbivores regulate plant community composition, promote plant diversity, and shape soil carbon and nutrient cycling; decomposer insects accelerate litter breakdown and support soil fertility; and predatory insects and spiders deliver natural pest control with cascading benefits for crop production and reduced pesticide use.

The talk will also highlight key gaps that limit our ability to predict how insect loss will influence ecosystem service provision. For example, we lack experimental tests linking insect abundance to multiple services under varying environmental conditions, and little is known about trade-offs among services when certain insect groups increase. We will outline promising approaches—including coordinated multi-site experiments, trait-based frameworks, and integrated monitoring that links multiple insect groups to multiple ecosystem functions— that can help close these gaps. In summary, this talk will clarify the central role of insects in sustaining ecosystem services and chart a path toward understanding how their recovery can contribute to resilient, multifunctional landscapes.