Invertebrates
Wales’ invertebrates are incredibly diverse
and constitute a high proportion of our
biodiversity. You may hardly notice them, but they
are vital to the well-being of our environment.
An estimated 25,000 invertebrate species live
in Wales’ land and freshwater habitats. Our ecosystems simply
could not function without them. Their roles include:
- Pollination of wild and cultivated plants
- Providing a source of food for birds and mammals
- Decomposition of decaying vegetation and dung
- Aeration of soil
- Filtration of water
Some of Wales’ invertebrate populations are
significant within Europe – for example, the marsh fritillary
(Euphydryas aurinia) and the southern damselfly
(Coenagrion mercuriale). Other species have their
only British populations in Wales – such as the rainbow leaf beetle
(Chrysolina cerealis) and Ashworth’s rustic moth
(Xestia ashworthii).
Wales’s climate, geology and topography
influence its range of species. Important assemblages of
species live in our peatbogs, wet grasslands, oakwoods, sea
cliffs and dune systems, shingle river banks and mountains. Most of
our species have a northern and western distribution in
Britain.
Unfortunately, invertebrates are highly
vulnerable to changes in their habitats – alterations to land use,
fragmentation of the countryside, deterioration of water quality
and climate change. Reasons for their sensitivity are:
- Most invertebrates have an annual lifecycle and occupy
specialised niches related to microclimate, vegetation structure
and hydrology.
- Many species have limited dispersal abilities and individuals
will not travel far during their lifetime.
There are winners and losers through these evolving changes, but
sadly it is usually the more specialised and valued species that
suffer most. Conservation of our invertebrate population is a
challenging task that requires us to understand and appreciate the
significance of a huge variety of species and their ecological
needs.