Insect Declines in the Anthropocene

Annual Review of Entomology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 65(1), P. 457 - 480

Published: Oct. 14, 2019

Insect declines are being reported worldwide for flying, ground, and aquatic lineages. Most reports come from western northern Europe, where the insect fauna is well-studied there considerable demographic data many taxonomically disparate Additional cases of faunal losses have been noted Asia, North America, Arctic, Neotropics, elsewhere. While this review addresses both species loss population declines, its emphasis on latter. Declines abundant can be especially worrisome, given that they anchor trophic interactions shoulder essential ecosystem services their respective communities. A factors believed to responsible observed collapses those perceived threatening insects form core treatment. In addition widely recognized threats biodiversity, e.g., habitat destruction, agricultural intensification (including pesticide use), climate change, invasive species, assessment highlights a few less commonly considered such as atmospheric nitrification burning fossil fuels effects droughts changing precipitation patterns. Because geographic extent magnitude largely unknown, an urgent need monitoring efforts, across ecological gradients, which will help identify important causal in declines. This also considers status vertebrate insectivores, reporting bias, challenges inherent collecting interpreting data, increasing abundance.

Language: Английский

---

A systems approach reveals urban pollinator hotspots and conservation opportunities

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 3(3), P. 363 - 373

Published: Jan. 10, 2019

Language: Английский

---

A meta-analysis of biological impacts of artificial light at night

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 5(1), P. 74 - 81

Published: Nov. 2, 2020

Language: Английский

---

Light pollution is a driver of insect declines

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 241, P. 108259 - 108259

Published: Nov. 16, 2019

Language: Английский

---

The impact of artificial light at night on nocturnal insects: A review and synthesis

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 8(22), P. 11337 - 11358

Published: Oct. 23, 2018

Abstract In recent decades, advances in lighting technology have precipitated exponential increases night sky brightness worldwide, raising concerns the scientific community about impact of artificial light at (ALAN) on crepuscular and nocturnal biodiversity. Long‐term records show that insect abundance has declined significantly over this time, with worrying implications for terrestrial ecosystems. The majority investigations into vulnerability insects to focused flight‐to‐light behavior exhibited by select families. However, ALAN can affect other ways as well. This review proposes five categories insects, highlighting past research identifying key knowledge gaps. We conclude a summary relevant literature bioluminescent fireflies, which emphasizes unique light‐based communication systems illumination. Comprehensive understanding ecological impacts diverse taxa will enable researchers seek out methods whereby moths, essential members ecosystem coexist humans an increasingly urbanized planet.

Language: Английский

---

Why artificial light at night should be a focus for global change research in the 21st century

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 24(3), P. 872 - 882

Published: Nov. 10, 2017

The environmental impacts of artificial light at night have been a rapidly growing field global change science in recent years. Yet, pollution has not achieved parity with other phenomena the level concern and interest it receives from scientific community, government nongovernmental organizations. This is despite globally widespread, expanding changing nature night-time lighting immediacy, severity phylogenetic breath its impacts. In this opinion piece, we evidence 10 reasons why should be focus for research 21st century. Our extend beyond those concerned principally environment, to also include on human health, culture biodiversity conservation more generally. We conclude that use will continue raise numerous ecological, health cultural issues, but opportunities exist mitigate by combining novel technologies sound evidence. potential gains appropriate management far indeed may play key role transitioning towards sustainable society.

Language: Английский

---

Why conservation biology can benefit from sensory ecology

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 4(4), P. 502 - 511

Published: March 16, 2020

Language: Английский

---

Insect declines and agroecosystems: does light pollution matter?

Annals of Applied Biology, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 173(2), P. 180 - 189

Published: June 11, 2018

Abstract Drastic declines in insect populations, ‘Ecological Armageddon’, have recently gained increased attention the scientific community, and are commonly considered to be consequence of large‐scale factors such as land‐use changes, use pesticides, climate change habitat fragmentation. Artificial light at night (ALAN), a pervasive global that strongly impacts insects, remains, however, infrequently recognised potential contributor observed declines. Here, we provide summary recent evidence ALAN on insects discuss how these can drive populations light‐polluted areas. increase overall environmental pressure this is particularly important agroecosystems where communities ecosystem services (such natural pest control, pollination, conservation soil structure fertility nutrient cycling), already under considerable pressure. We changes driven by itself may hinder influence crop production biodiversity agricultural landscapes. Understanding contribution other decline an step towards mitigation recovery fauna our In future studies, role nocturnal illumination also needs examined possible causal factor ongoing along with more factors. Given large scale land indirectly directly impact biodiversity, better understanding effects urgently needed.

Language: Английский

---

Light Pollution, Circadian Photoreception, and Melatonin in Vertebrates

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 11(22), P. 6400 - 6400

Published: Nov. 14, 2019

Artificial light at night (ALAN) is increasing exponentially worldwide, accelerated by the transition to new efficient lighting technologies. However, ALAN and resulting pollution can cause unintended physiological consequences. In vertebrates, production of melatonin—the “hormone darkness” a key player in circadian regulation—can be suppressed ALAN. this paper, we provide an overview research on melatonin vertebrates. We discuss how disrupts natural photic environments, its effect rhythms, different photoreceptor systems across vertebrate taxa. then present results systematic review which identified studies under typical light-polluted conditions fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, including humans. Melatonin extremely low intensities many ranging from 0.01–0.03 lx for fishes rodents 6 sensitive Even lower, wavelength-dependent are implied some require rigorous testing ecological contexts. studies, suppression occurs minimum levels tested, and, better-studied groups, reported occur lower levels. identify major gaps conclude that, most crucial information lacking. No were amphibians reptiles long-term impacts low-level exposure unknown. Given high sensitivity paucity available information, it further order inform effective mitigation strategies human health wellbeing fitness vertebrates ecosystems.

Language: Английский

---

Exposure to Artificial Light at Night and the Consequences for Flora, Fauna, and Ecosystems

Frontiers in Neuroscience, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 14

Published: Nov. 16, 2020

The present review draws together wide-ranging studies performed over the last decades that catalogue effects of artificial-light-at-night (ALAN) upon living species and their environment. We provide an overview tremendous variety light-detection strategies which have evolved in organisms - unicellular, plants animals, covering chloroplasts (plants), plethora ocular extra-ocular organs (animals). describe visual pigments permit photo-detection, paying attention to spectral characteristics, extend from ultraviolet into infrared. discuss how use light information a way crucial for development, growth survival: phototropism, phototaxis, photoperiodism, synchronization circadian clocks. These aspects are treated depth, as perturbation underlies much disruptive ALAN. goes detail on networks organisms, since these fundamental features critical importance regulating interface between environment body. Especially, hormonal synthesis secretion often under circannual control, hence clock will lead imbalance. addresses ubiquitous introduction light-emitting diode technology may exacerbate, or some cases reduce, generalized ever-increasing pollution. Numerous examples given widespread exposure ALAN is perturbing many plant animal behaviour foraging, orientation, migration, seasonal reproduction, colonization more. examine potential problems at level individual populations debate consequences ecosystems. stress, through few examples, synergistic harmful resulting impacts combined with other anthropogenic pressures, impact neuroendocrine loops vertebrates. article concludes by debating changes could be mitigated more reasonable available example restricting illumination essential areas hours, directing lighting avoid wasteful radiation selecting emissions, reduce end discussing society should take account potentially major has natural world repercussions ongoing human health welfare.

Language: Английский

---