Perfoliate Leaf-Mimicking Plant Clips: A One Health Strategy to Address the Effects of Urbanization on Insects

Abstract

The declining abundance of safe water sources for insects in urban areas is a wicked problem requiring urgent attention. Urbanization has transformed natural settings into environments marked by concrete and asphalt, leading to increased heat production, ecosystem degradation, and a reduction of natural water sources including perfoliate plant species whose leaves act as reservoirs. While the proposed initiative's primary aim is to address the challenge of water access for urban insects, a critical component of its scope includes an analysis of biophobia as a systemic contributing factor. Urbanization has been shown to disconnect humans from natural environments and non-human animals, creating feelings of disgust which is a common symptom of biophobia. In turn, humans often distance themselves further from natural stimuli, reducing their awareness of insects' needs. The proposed initiative involves the installation of perfoliate leaf-mimicking plant clips in the gardens of various households in Parkdale, Toronto. These novel clips would contain a shallow reservoir able to collect rain or garden water for consumption by insects. Insects present within these gardens would engage with the clip, bringing them closer to pollination targets. Providing safe and accessible water sources for insects in this manner would contribute to the well-being of humans, non-human animals, and the environment. This would be made possible by facilitating efficient pollen transfer and subsequent plant reproduction while simultaneously attempting to reduce biophobia, exposing humans to the beneficial roles of insects in their gardens.