Review: Ecosystem service indicators in insect farming - a novel One Health perspective

Area of Science:

• Agrifood Systems Science
• Ecosystem Services (ES)
• One Health (OH) Framework

Background:

• Global agrifood systems require sustainable practices to meet rising food demands.
• Insects provide vital ecosystem services, contributing to ecological balance and agricultural resilience.
• Insect farming is a sustainable strategy supporting food security and ecosystem health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the ecosystem services (ES) provided by insect farming.
• To explore the application of the One Health (OH) framework in insect farming.
• To propose indicators for measuring ES benefits and challenges in insect farming.

Main Methods:

• Literature synthesis of insect farming's ecosystem services.
• Categorization of ES into support, provisioning, cultural, and regulation.
• Development of indicators aligned with the One Health framework.

Main Results:

• Insect farming offers multifunctional benefits across four ES categories.
• The One Health framework provides a structure for assessing insect farming's impact.
• Identified challenges include regulatory issues, disease risks, and environmental impacts.

Conclusions:

• Insect farming is a valuable tool for enhancing agrifood systems and promoting One Health.
• Evidence-based indicators are needed to guide policy and maximize benefits while minimizing risks.
• Careful management is essential to address the challenges associated with insect farming.