Changes in the rural world are causing an increase in vertebrates at the expense of a decline in insects and amphibians, according to a study.

A study led by researchers from the Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (IPE), which belongs to the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), has analyzed the ecological transformation of the rural world during the twentieth century. The research reveals that changes in rural landscapes have led to an increase in certain vertebrate species, including wolves, roe deer, wild boars, bears, and large birds of prey.

However, this recovery coexists with a simultaneous decline in other fauna groups. Specifically, the study highlights a decrease in insects, amphibians, and small birds, presenting a paradox in biodiversity shifts across rural environments.