Natural science Urban habitats endanger biodiversity of spiders and insects

Intensive human land use threatens the biodiversity of insects and spiders. Declining biodiversity affects the biomass and thus also the nutrients in ecosystems on land and in water.

Biodiversity increases the availability of important organic nutrients. This is also important in habitats that are dominated by humans, according to a study in which researchers from the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag) and the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL) were also involved.

According to the researchers, urban habitats with a lower diversity of insect and spider species showed a clear deficit in biomass compared to nature-rich environments. Birds, mammals and reptiles, which rely on insects and spiders for food, therefore have a difficult time in urban areas.

The biodiversity of insects is consistently higher in bodies of water, the report continued. Aquatic insects are very nutritious prey for birds and bats. The results of the study underline the importance of protecting biodiversity - even in urban areas, according to the scientists.