Abstract

The emerging insects-as-food industry is increasingly promoted as a sustainable alternative to other animal protein production systems. However, the exact nature of its environmental benefits are uncertain because of the overwhelming lack of knowledge concerning almost every aspect of production: from suitable species, their housing and feed requirements, and potential for accidental release. If ecological sustainability is to be a hallmark of mass insect rearing for consumption, ecologists need to engage in research related to sustainability criteria that are directly linked to key elements of the development of the industry. There is more to this subject than simply comparing feed-conversion ratios (FCRs) of insects to traditional livestock production, and we highlight areas where research needs to be immediately focused.

Published in

Trends in ecology & evolution
2019, Volume: 34, number: 2, pages: 132-138
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE LONDON

SLU Authors

• Berggren, Åsa

  • Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Jansson, Anna

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Low, Matthew

  • Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Sustainable Development Goals

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture


UKÄ Subject classification

Ecology


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2018.11.005

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/98436