By the team at UN Environment where this blog was originally published.
A ten-year study of a subtropical forest in China by a German-led international team of scientists shows that the variety of animals and fungus species has a decisive role in the health of forest ecosystems.
In our forests, trees are the most conspicuous and prominent life forms. The consequences of reduced tree species diversity are therefore comparatively easy to grasp. In contrast, the diversity of the thousands of sometimes tiny animal and microorganism species is often overlooked, despite the important ecological role they play.
Researchers, led by the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research and the Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, studied the complex interdependencies between the various species of beetles, spiders, ants, woodlice and fungi in Gutianshan Nature Reserve, Zheijian Province, southeast China.
Learn more at UN Environment. Click here
Finally…
…thank you for reading this story. Our mission is to make them freely accessible to everyone, no matter where they are.
We believe that lasting and impactful change starts with changing the way people think. That’s why we amplify the diverse voices the world needs to hear – from local restoration leaders to Indigenous communities and women who lead the way.
By supporting us, not only are you supporting the world’s largest knowledge-led platform devoted to sustainable and inclusive landscapes, but you’re also becoming a vital part of a global community that’s working tirelessly to create a healthier world for us all.
Every donation counts – no matter the amount. Thank you for being a part of our mission.
It's easy to shrug nature off as just "things," but most people see it as a lot more than that, from oxygen to beauty to life itself.
The inspiring story of a group of Malawian farmers as they respond to land degradation and erratic rainfall caused by the climate crisis.
The EU Nature Restoration Law has entered into force. What will this mean for biodiversity in Europe – and what can the world learn?