How do endangered species affect ecosystem services such as pollination and water purification?

Endangered species play a vital role in maintaining the health and functionality of ecosystems, and their decline directly threatens essential ecosystem services such as pollination and water purification.12

Impact on Pollination

Pollination is a critical service provided by many insects, particularly bees. As various bee species become endangered due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change, the plants that rely on them for reproduction suffer. Many plants have coevolved with specific pollinators; if those pollinators disappear, the plants may fail to produce seeds, leading to a decline in plant diversity and altering the structure of entire food webs. While some crops are wind-pollinated, many fruits and vegetables depend on insect pollination, meaning the loss of these species directly impacts human food systems.3

Impact on Water Purification

Ecosystems naturally purify water, a process often supported by the complex interactions of diverse species. The loss of species can trigger trophic cascades, where the removal of top predators leads to imbalances in lower levels of the food chain. For example, in aquatic environments, the decline of certain fish can lead to unchecked growth of harmful phytoplankton, which degrades water quality. Conversely, the presence of specific species—such as those that stabilize sediments or control algae—is essential for maintaining clear, clean water. When biodiversity is lost, ecosystems lose their resilience and their ability to perform these vital purification functions.14