Insect Biodiversity

by Robert G. Foottit (Editor), Peter H. Adler (Editor)
Volume Two of the new guide to the study of biodiversity in insects

The fundamental ecological, cultural and economic roles of insects give them central importance in functioning of terrestrial and inland water ecosystems worldwide. Insect declines, from a variety of anthropogenic threats, erode these services and dictate the need for insect conservation, but the consequences of insect losses are poorly recognised. In Australia, insect conservation must proceed from a very uncertain and incomplete knowledge of insect identifications and diversity, and also from a generally poor public appreciation of their central ecological roles and relevance to human welfare and other biota.

The fundamental ecological, cultural and economic roles of insects give them central importance in functioning of terrestrial and inland water ecosystems worldwide. Insect declines, from a variety of anthropogenic threats, erode these services and dictate the need for insect conservation, but the consequences of insect losses are poorly recognised. In Australia, insect conservation must proceed from a very uncertain and incomplete knowledge of insect identifications and diversity, and also from a generally poor public appreciation of their central ecological roles and relevance to human welfare and other biota.

This book provides for the first time an integrative analysis of the major drivers of decline and threats of insects and related arthropods in the Neotropical region. Thus, it is an urgent first step towards filling an information gap in this region. It identifies the main causes of decline, provides and discusses examples from the better-studied insect faunas to develop and advance principles and practical conservation management for the rich Neotropical insect faunas.