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Related Concept Videos

Threats to Biodiversity01:50

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There have been five major extinction events throughout geological history, resulting in the elimination of biodiversity, followed by a rebound of species that adapted to the new conditions. In the current geological epoch, the Holocene, there is a sixth extinction event in progress. This mass extinction has been attributed to human activities and is thus provisionally called the Anthropocene. In 2019 the human population reached 7.7 billion people and is projected to comprise 10 billion by...
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An ecological disturbance is a temporary disruption in the environment resulting from abiotic, biotic, or anthropogenic factors, causing a pronounced change in an ecosystem. The impact of an ecological disturbance, which can depend on its intensity, frequency, and spatial distribution, plays a significant role in shaping the species diversity within the ecosystem.
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Measures of species biodiversity, such as richness (i.e., the number of species present) and evenness (i.e., their relative abundance), describe an ecological community’s structure. Many factors affect community structure, including abiotic factors (e.g., sunlight and nutrients), disturbances (e.g., fire or flood), species interactions (e.g., predation or competition), and chance events (e.g., foreign species invasion). Certain species—such as keystone species—also play a...
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Conservation biology is a scientific field that focuses on the preservation of biodiversity in order to protect ecosystems while meeting the needs of the human population. Humans require properly functioning ecosystems to maintain our supply of natural resources, including food, medicines, and building materials.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 15, 2025

Linking Predation Risk, Herbivore Physiological Stress and Microbial Decomposition of Plant Litter
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Ecosystem consequences of invertebrate decline.

Nico Eisenhauer1, Raúl Ochoa-Hueso2, Yuanyuan Huang1

  • 1German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstrasse 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Puschstrasse 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.

Current Biology : CB
|September 27, 2023
PubMed
Summary

Invertebrate biomass loss in grasslands significantly reduces ecosystem multifunctionality and critical services like pest control and decomposition. This decline threatens grassland integrity by disrupting ecological processes and diminishing essential ecosystem services.

Keywords:
decompositionecosystem couplingecosystem servicesiDiv Ecotroninvertebrate declinemultifunctionalitypest control

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Environmental Science
  • Biodiversity Research

Background:

  • Human activities are causing significant biodiversity changes.
  • Invertebrate decline is a growing concern, yet its ecosystem consequences are understudied.
  • Previous research indicates a substantial loss in invertebrate biomass and abundance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the ecosystem consequences of aboveground invertebrate biomass loss.
  • To assess the impact of reduced invertebrate biomass on six key ecosystem services.
  • To examine the relationship between invertebrate community biomass and ecosystem multifunctionality.

Main Methods:

  • Experimental grassland mesocosms were used in a controlled Ecotron facility.
  • Three levels of aboveground invertebrate biomass were tested (100%, 36%, and 0% of ambient).
  • Thirty above- and belowground ecosystem variables were monitored to assess ecosystem services and functions.

Main Results:

  • Reduced invertebrate biomass (36% treatment) led to decreased ecosystem multifunctionality.
  • Aboveground pest control and belowground decomposition services were significantly impaired.
  • Harvested plant biomass increased, suggesting less energy transfer through the food chain.
  • Invertebrate communities and ecosystem functions became decoupled at lower biomass levels.

Conclusions:

  • Invertebrate loss critically threatens grassland integrity.
  • The decline in invertebrate biomass disrupts essential ecosystem processes.
  • Reduced invertebrate biomass diminishes the supply of vital ecosystem services, impacting grassland health and function.