Undervalued biodiversity: Fostering overlooked lifeforms

Most conservation efforts focus on charismatic wildlife—cuddly animals, majestic birds, and colorful flowers—while ignoring the unsung heroes of ecosystems: the insects, microbes, and 'undesirable' species that form the foundation of biodiversity. Oliver Gauthier argues that true ecological resilience depends on embracing the full web of life, including pests, invasive species, and overlooked plants. Through interviews with Julia Dakin, a landrace gardener, he reveals how saving and breeding seeds locally can create climate-resilient, flavorful crops that evolve with their environment—requiring farmers to let go of control and embrace natural selection. Vicky Hurd, author of *Rebugging the Planet*, challenges the stigma around insects, showing they are vital pollinators, waste recyclers, and soil engineers, and that their decline is driven by pesticides, light pollution, and habitat loss. Finally, Dow Orion’s work in *Beyond the War on Invasive Species* reframes invasive species not as enemies, but as ecological pioneers that fill gaps left by human-caused damage. She exposes how the term 'invasive' is weaponized by industrial interests and shows that many so-called invaders are actually restoring degraded land. The real solution isn’t eradication, but rethinking land use, embracing ecological succession, and recognizing that humans can be stewards, not just disruptors.