Tiny critters

Explanation

Ants, centipedes, beetles, and spiders. Ladybirds, flies, mosquitoes, woodlice, and worms. The world around us is populated by all kinds of tiny critters. For the most part, we don’t see them. They live hidden under the ground, under water, or in the greenery around us. Usually, we are hardly aware of their existence. They do, however, play an important role in the natural cycle of life. They are indispensable as food for small mammals and birds. In the soil, they convert dead plant matter into building materials for other plants. All play a role in nature. This tree sculpture makes them visible to us. How many species can you find here?

Relationship with humans

Why we do what we do

We usually don’t like tiny critters. They sting, they bite, and they populate our homes. If we are not disgusted by them, we are afraid of them, but whatever the case may be, insects and other tiny critters can usually count on little sympathy from us. We try to combat insects, ants, and caterpillars with chemicals, but slowly it is beginning to dawn on us that, in doing so, we are not only eradicating the harmful little critters, but we may be harming ourselves as well. What will the world look like when birds can no longer find insects as food? What happens when young birds are fed poisoned caterpillars? And what state will humans be in when there are no bees left to pollinate our food plants?