Various environmental and man-made activities have been damaging their populations for decades. Source: Janderk/Wikimedia Commons 10. Springtails Turn Leaves Into Nutrients Both these animals dig tunnels in and naturally till the soil – helping air and water (and nutrients) to get into the soil and also near plant roots. Humans and animals wouldn’t be able to survive without certain plant life and trees – you can read more about the most important plant life and trees in this guide. Numerous studies show dogs are beneficial to our mental health, and can even support people with mental health issues like depression, anxiety and more. fish excrement can significantly reduce the acidity of oceans – which helps to reduce the impact of climate change

Captivating and informative. This book is a wonderful celebration of nature and the inspiring and diverse contributions that species make to the world we live in. Professor Helen Roy, UK CEH

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Fish farming and aquaculture which is growing and even surpassing traditional agriculture in terms of total food production, also has it’s downsides. Designed to encourage inquiry, discussion and critical thinking, in this informative book a teacher challenges her class to come to their own conclusions about who is the most important animal of all. Seven children champion a different keystone species for the top spot. Is it … I particularly loved the way the information was given through the words of the childlearning about it. I thought this was a really original way of sharing the information andmaking it really accessible to the reader. I also really enjoyed the combination of illustrationsand photos. Bailey’s images were bright and engaging, while the photos gave some morerealistic context of the animals and their habitats.’ - The Teacher Bookworm @primaryteachew Bees carry out pollination (along with other pollinator species), which allows plants, flowers, and trees to survive and grow. The Most Important Animal of Allis a beautiful picture book, illustrated by award-winning Hannah Bailey, where a teacher challenges her class to decide which is the most important animal of all.

And last but by no means least we have ants.These militarised bugs like earthworms, provide vital recycling activities in ecosystems around the world. They are also directly predated upon and are an inspiration for development in AI. Animals can also be studied for various reasons, with one example being to get an idea of environmental trends and activity. Cyanobacteria, unlike others on the list, need to be saved from themselves. Blooms in cyanobacteria from the release of fertilizers into waterways can cause serious deoxygenation and devastation of affected ecosystems. Source: Greg Tally/Wikimedia Commons 8. Coral Reefs are Vitally Important for Many Coastal Ecosystems

Of the animals on the list below, there’s an argument to be made that plankton, bats, primates, fungi and bees might be most important. This books encourages inquiry, discussion, and critical thinking. By learning why these animals are important, children should gain an understanding of ecosystems. A positive and gentle primer to the larger issues of habitat loss, endangered species, and climate change. We have service dogs that work for the police and military, guide dogs that help the blind, assistance dogs that help people with disabilities, dogs trained to sense seizures, and more. Penny Worms has teamed up with illustrator Hannah Bailey and the British Ecological Society to create this clever mix of fact and fiction. The Most Important Animal of All follows a class of children, who supported by their teacher, discuss and debate which is indeed the most important animal of them all. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/wildlife/3463912/The-animals-and-plants-we-cannot-live-without.html

Insect pollination supports one-third of human crop growth, and of this number, honeybees are responsible for 80 percent … [and the types of crops that are pollinated are] Apples, nuts, avocados, soybeans, asparagus, broccoli, cucumbers, strawberries and peaches (findingdulcinea.com) Bats occupy a vital niche in the ecosystem by providing an essential 'service' - insect regulation. Their bug-munching habits help keep crops like Bananas, Mangoes, Dates and, even Tequila, thriving.An excellent childrens book that will really suit an inquisitive mind of between 6-12 years of age.

Some animals can also be highly damaging to the environment and to other species (like invasive, pest, overpopulated and predator species). The winners of the Diverse Book Awards 2023 have been announced, with one winner from each of the four categories announced: Picture book, Children...

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Every year, 26 million animals are used in the US alone for animal testing (animal-testing.procon.org). Also, although we don’t list them specifically in the guide below, plant-like organisms like algae might become more important in the future if they are used for bioenergy, and for biofuels such as sustainable aviation fuel (as one example) In this beautifully illustrated picture book, endorsed by the British Ecological Society, a teacher challenges her class to come to their own conclusions about the most important animal of all. Since] 1997, these [rats] have helped clear 13,200 mines from minefields in Tanzania, Mozambique, Angola, and, most recently, in Cambodia. They are, in effect, the world's recyclers. Yet despite this many species are facing extinction from pollution and agricultural activities. Source: Hans Hillewaert/Wikimedia Commons 4. Menhaden Are Vital To Marine Food Chains