Pest Control and Waste Disposal

Spiders, bats, birds, carnivorous plants and other species help to control insects and other pests. For example, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, A typical summer colony of 100 bats feeding 200 days will consume more than 2200 pounds of insects or approximately 600,000,000 bugs! These organisms depend on healthy native plant communities for food, shelter and other habitat.

Further, through decomposition, healthy ecosystems break down both natural and human generated waste and recycle the nutrients and other materials into growing plants and animals. Native plant communities also trap filter pollutants in wastewater, leading to cleaner and healthier and water supplies.

Native plants and soils help to filter out, sequester or decompose organic wastes, including those introduced through agriculture. Water filtering by wetlands involves the breakdown of nutrient-rich waste from human and animal sources and the removal of disease-causing organisms. Bioremediation of soils and water relies on the metabolic activity of plants and microorganisms to absorb pollutants from soil or water and to digest toxins. This purification of fresh water for drinking and other purposes as well as the removal of microbes and other toxins provide an important benefit to human health.

Songbirds also control insect populations. Songbird young can consume over 400 caterpillars per day. Photo © Doug Tallamy, NPCC Advisor

In addition, by suppressing pest populations, natural predators supported by native plant communities maintain the stability of agricultural systems and can reduce producers’ pest control costs. Studies find that more diverse landscapes and native plant communities provide more effective agricultural pest control.