It is said to say that human beings are happily declaring their victory over year-long war with insects. As per a recent report presented by the Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in the United States, almost 1 million animal species and plants, including bugs, are now at the risk of extinction.
It is due to the excessive growth in the industrial agriculture, habitat elimination, overuse of pesticides, unnecessary lights, increasing road hazards, and widespread displacement of native plants. Such activities caused almost a 45% decline in the population of insects within 40 years.
Experts reveal that if insects were to vanish, it means nearly all the flowering plants and food webs will also be destroyed. This loss may further lead to the extinction of several birds, mammals, amphibians, and a wide range of terrestrial creatures. The disappearance of insects would also end the rapid decomposition of the existing organic matter, therefore, shutting down nutrient cycling. Consequently, it will be difficult for humans to survive in the coming years.
Nevertheless, humans are still keen to discover improved techniques to destroy the insects around their lawns, homes, crops, and nearby forests. Reasonably, these humans have not yet realized these actions are a threat to the ecosystem and a healthy society. Hence, it is high time to contribute to nature, the most beneficial approach; allow bugs to migrate and live in your backyard.
As more than 73% of the continental US is categorized as private lands, the owners need to make efforts towards nature conservation. Although some preserves and public parks are already nurturing some biodiversity, it is not enough to serve the entire population. All residents need to make efforts to support the ecosystem by cooperating with our little crawly friends.
The landowners should strip various invasive plants such as privet, callery pear, burning bush, wisteria, autumn olive, and such. Invasive plants are ecological invaders that spread to natural areas, where they displace the valuable native plant communities that better support insects.
Once the invasive plants are gone, find some environment-friendly plants from the local nursery. Look for more native plants that are more valuable for the insects and bugs. People that are living in the dry areas of the country are advised to plant oaks in bulk amounts.
Simultaneously, those who want meadows should plant sunflowers, asters, and goldenrod’s. Studies reveal that native plants extend support to the insect life cycle by almost 10 to 100 times as compared to the non-native plants.
In case if you are maintaining a large garden, it is better to minimize the use of insecticides. Some of you may also think of creating pollinator gardens containing blooms that ensure a significant supply of nectar and pollen’s. It may help you to attract more insects to the area.
Furthermore, the plants such as violets, sunflowers, asters, goldenrod’s, and a primrose also support insect life-cycles. Other than this, you should replace the white bulbs in the garden with the yellow LED’s as they look appealing to the insects.
Next time you see a crawly critter – let them be.
