Assessing environmental sustainability: the potential of terrestrial isopoda, Porcellionides cingendus (Kinahan, 185)

The role of terrestrial isopods in assessing environmental sustainability has garnered increasing attention in ecological studies. Among these, *Porcellionides cingendus*, a common terrestrial isopod species, offers a promising bioindicator for evaluating soil quality and ecosystem health. This article synthesizes current research on the ecological significance of *P. cingendus*, its potential use in environmental monitoring, and a practical study assessing its responses to environmental stressors. The findings underscore the importance of considering terrestrial isopods in sustainability assessments. The results demonstrated a high consumption efficiency by P. cingendus, with consumption rates of 99.2% for wood sawdust, 81.97% for citrus leaves, 70.43% for potato peels, 68.4% for Cynodon dactylon, and 34.13% for cardboard. The average consumption per individual was 0.793 mg for wood sawdust, 0.655 mg for citrus leaves, 0.563 mg for potato peels, 0.547 mg for Cynodon dactylon, and 0.273 mg for cardboard. These findings suggest that P. cingendus can serve as an effective agent in waste management and environmental sustainability, particularly in the decomposition of cellulosic materials. Porcellionides cingendus shows promise as a bioindicator for soil health and ecosystem sustainability. Terrestrial isopods can aid in assessing the effects of environmental changes on terrestrial ecosystems. Implementing isopod assessments can enhance conservation strategies and soil management practices.