We all love cute and cuddly animals but the real workers keeping our environment healthy are insects which are responsible for aerating the soil, pollinating plants, breaking down animal remains and creating nutrient rich top soil essential for plant growth. They are also a major food source for many other animals. Some insects are responsible for eradicating pests that destroy plant life. For every animal there is a predator, and this helps maintain the delicate balance in nature. But if insects can't do their job because of environmental degradation then that delicate balancing act is put out of kelter, and as a result some species will fall victim like dominos. There are an estimated 1.5 million known insect species of which 97 percent are beneficial to the environment. As long as we protect habitat, nature will do the rest managing the ecosystem. So, before crushing an insect simply because you don’t like the look of it remember that without them humans would cease to exist. Writer Jens Ward happily poses with a creepy crawly. The truth is we need insects far more than they need us.Jens Ward
Words ④ Wildlife