Changes in insect diversity can significantly impact ecosystem functions, given that these species play essential roles as pollinators, pest controllers, and primary food sources for birds and mammals. To assess the impact of agricultural shifts on these populations, FiBL has partnered with Agroscope, WSL (Eidgenössische Forschungsanstalt für Wald, Schnee und Landschaft), the Swiss Ornithological Institute, and Swiss Topic Center on Fauna (info fauna) to analyse long-term ground arthropod data from diverse Swiss habitats from the 1990s to the present day.
Our findings reveal how specific functional groups, such as seed predators and carnivores, have responded to thirty years of environmental change. The aim of this project is to disseminate these insights by organising symposia in the French- and Italian-speaking regions, hosting a central event in Zurich with the Federal Offices for the Environment (FOEN) and Agriculture (FOAG), and producing a video and educational materials to highlight the vital importance of beneficial insects.
Project partner
