Recent studies reveal global declines of invertebrates, with butterfly, moth, bee, wasp and dung beetle species most at risk of extinction. In addition to pollination, invertebrates support many other key ecosystem functions.
It is unclear whether agri-environmental policy over the past 30 years has been enough to halt this decline, but changing systems on a national scale towards more regenerative agricultural practices may provide opportunities to do just that.
A suite of invertebrate surveys are being undertaken at Sapperton Wilder, from ground invertebrates up to aerial invertebrates including beetles, moths, other insects.
Student research done by University of Reading MSc student Alicia Hodson found that the practice of agroforestry has already begun to support a higher insect abundance and diversity, even at this early stage of the project. Click to read more: https://www.sappertonwilder.co.uk/content/uploads/Alicia-Hodson-SW-page-final.pdf
