ABSTRACT
Redesign of the conventional farming paradigm to a sustainable approach is critical for food security and meeting global biodiversity targets. Such a shift could benefit insect conservation immensely, as intensive agriculture is a leading cause of insect declines globally. In agroecological farming, ecological principles are used to design and manage agroecosystems that are rich in biodiversity and associated ecosystem services, with the aim of increasing farm resilience, while maintaining profitability. Such farms can provide diverse resources, critical habitats, resource continuity, and a hospitable environment for above- and belowground insects at different spatial and temporal scales. There is a wide range of practical measures that can be tailored to suit farms in different types of landscapes, in different socio-economic settings and that vary in the scale at which diversification can be applied. To transition to agroecological farming, we need (i) more research on the responses of insects and their ecosystem services to farmland practices, especially for underrepresented regions and taxa; (ii) longitudinal data and coordinated monitoring of farmland insects; (iii) convincing evidence of how insect conservation translates into resilience of farming systems; (iv) practical support to farmers; and (v) policies and economic mechanisms that promote stewardship in farmland.
