Ecosystem Services Provided by Insects in Brazil: What Do We Really Know?

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Entomology

Background:

• Insects are Earth's most abundant and diverse organisms, crucial for ecosystem services.
• The significance of insect-provided ecosystem services in Brazil is underappreciated by society.
• Brazil's megadiverse tropical environment offers unique potential for insect conservation and utilization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and synthesize existing knowledge on ecosystem services provided by insects in Brazil.
• To identify research gaps and biases in the study of insect ecosystem services in Brazil.
• To discuss implications for conservation and policy, emphasizing broader economic and ecological perspectives.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive database search identified 136 relevant articles published in English or Portuguese.
• Studies were analyzed for publication trends, geographical focus (Atlantic Forest, Cerrado), and studied ecosystem services.
• Research approaches and the explicit use of the term "ecosystem services" were also examined.

Main Results:

• Pollination, decomposition, and biological pest control were the most frequently studied insect ecosystem services.
• Research predominantly focused on natural and anthropic ecosystems, with a majority employing experimental designs.
• The term "ecosystem services" was infrequently used, and studies exhibited a taxon bias.

Conclusions:

• There is a need to expand research beyond economically focused insect ecosystem services.
• Improved communication between scientists, policymakers, and citizens is essential for insect conservation.
• Brazil can lead in conserving and utilizing insect ecosystem services through enhanced scientific outreach.