Arthropod Biodiversity: Ecological And Functional Aspects

There are various groups and species of animals in the animal kingdom. Arthropods are among them, referring to a family of insects, crustaceans, spiders, and other species. They are a group of animals characterized by exoskeletons, joint legs, and other features that provide them the ample support needed.

These insects are crucial in maintaining the ecosystem’s balance as pollinators. Pollinators are insects or groups of animals that carry pollen grains from one flower to another and help in the flowering process. In this article, we have mentioned the ecological and functional aspects of arthropods.

The ecological aspect of arthropods

It is essential to know that anthropoids are present in almost every habitat, from the deepest oceans to the highest mountains and sunniest deserts. As mentioned above, they play a crucial role in maintaining the balance in the ecosystem as both producers and consumers. For example, insects like honeybees, beetles, and butterflies are essential insects that help pollinate and fertilize flowering plants.

Arthropods are also classified as decomposers like flies and beetles, which help break down the organic matter in the environment and help reach the nutrients back to the ground. In addition, they also serve as food for other insects, other arthropods, and species of birds and mammals.

Since a diverse variety exists, each is essential to maintain the ecosystem and has an inevitable environmental consequence. For instance, if there is a decrease in the number of arthropods helping in pollination, there will be a decrease in the population of flowering plants, which can have an imbalance in the ecosystem. Similarly, a shortage of decomposing arthropods will also lead to a degradation in the nutrition factor of the ecosystem.

The functional aspect of arthropods

Not only do these classes of insects help maintain the ecological balance, but they are functional in different industries. One of the most famous examples is that of the honeybees, which help produce raw honey and silkworms used to produce pure silk. Besides, arthropods are also utilized in other industries like pest control. Some of them are useful in preventing the crops from an infestation of pests; hence, they are used to make biological agents to prevent crops in the garden from the growth of harmful pests.

Recently, they are also being used as a subject for scientific research to study their behavior in different filed. For example, studying their behavior has opened a new area of science that helps understand the social behavior between different insects and their mode of communication. In addition to this, their anatomy has also helped develop new industries and technologies. Behavior has opened a new area of science that helps understand the social behavior between different insects and their mode of communication. In addition to this, their anatomy has also helped develop new industries and technologies.