by Matteo Cavallito<\/p>\n
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Climate change affects the behaviors of terrestrial insects<\/strong> such as beetles, ants and butterflies by impacting the ecosystem services they provide to the soil. This is supported by research<\/a> from the German Center for Integrated Biodiversity Research (iDiv) and Friedrich Schiller University in Jena. Forced to cope with increasing temperature extremes, specimens must reduce their activity or seek shelter in more suitable microhabitats, the diversification<\/strong> of which becomes decisive.<\/p>\n “A natural and diverse ecosystem offers many microhabitats that provide more favorable climate conditions as well as food for insects,” the scientists explain in a statement<\/a> released by the German university. “But in the face of land-use changes<\/strong>, the diversity of these microhabitats is declining.” With obvious consequences for pollination, humus formation and general improvement in soil quality.<\/p>\n