11 Pressing Research Questions on How Light Pollution Affects Biodiversity

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 9

Published: Dec. 8, 2021

Artificial light at night (ALAN) is closely associated with modern societies and rapidly increasing worldwide. A dynamically growing body of literature shows that ALAN poses a serious threat to all levels biodiversity—from genes ecosystems. Many “unknowns” remain be addressed however, before we fully understand the impact on biodiversity can design effective mitigation measures. Here, distilled findings workshop effects first World Biodiversity Forum in Davos attended by several major research groups field from across globe. We argue 11 pressing questions have answered find ways reduce biodiversity. The address fundamental knowledge gaps, ranging basic challenges how standardize measurements, through multi-level impacts biodiversity, opportunities for more sustainable use.

Language: Английский

---

Effects of anthropogenic light on species and ecosystems

Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 380(6650), P. 1125 - 1130

Published: June 15, 2023

Anthropogenic light is ubiquitous in areas where humans are present and showing a progressive increase worldwide. This has far-reaching consequences for most species their ecosystems. The effects of anthropogenic on natural ecosystems highly variable complex. Many suffer from adverse often respond specific manner. Ostensibly surveyable such as attraction deterrence become complicated because these can depend the type behavior locations. Here, we considered how solutions new technologies could reduce light. A simple solution to reducing mitigating ecological seems unattainable, frugal lighting practices turning off lights may be necessary eliminate them.

Language: Английский

---

Artificial Light at Night Affects Organism Flux across Ecosystem Boundaries and Drives Community Structure in the Recipient Ecosystem

Frontiers in Environmental Science, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 5

Published: Oct. 20, 2017

Artificial light at night (ALAN) is a widespread alteration of the natural environment that can affect functioning ecosystems. ALAN change movement patterns freshwater animals move into adjacent riparian and terrestrial ecosystems, but implications for local consumers rely on these subsidies are still unexplored. We conducted two-year field experiment to quantify changes freshwater-terrestrial linkages by installing streetlights in previously light-naïve area an agricultural drainage ditch. compared abundance community composition emerging aquatic insects, flying ground-dwelling arthropods with unlit control site. Comparisons were made within between years using generalized least squares BACI design (Before-After Control-Impact). Aquatic insect emergence, proportion insects origin, total all increased ALAN-illuminated area. The several night-active predators (Pachygnatha clercki, Trochosa sp., Opiliones) under their activity was extended day. Conversely, nocturnal ground beetles (Carabidae) decreased ALAN. predator scavenger communities suggest increase aquatic-to-terrestrial subsidy flux may cascade through food web. work among first studies experimentally manipulate large-scale experiment, provides evidence processes link Given large number installed along shorelines bodies throughout globe, effects could be represent underestimated source impairment both systems.

Language: Английский

---

A new source of multi-spectral high spatial resolution night-time light imagery—JL1-3B

Remote Sensing of Environment, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 215, P. 300 - 312

Published: June 26, 2018

Language: Английский

---

Hormonally mediated effects of artificial light at night on behavior and fitness: linking endocrine mechanisms with function

Journal of Experimental Biology, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 221(6)

Published: March 15, 2018

ABSTRACT Alternation between day and night is a predictable environmental fluctuation that organisms use to time their activities. Since the invention of artificial lighting, this predictability has been disrupted continues change in unidirectional fashion with increasing urbanization. As hormones mediate individual responses changing environments, endocrine systems might be one first affected, as well being line defense ameliorate any negative health impacts. In Review, we highlight how light can influence function vertebrates. We then focus on four axes affected by at (ALAN): pineal, reproductive, adrenal thyroid. Throughout, key findings, rather than performing an exhaustive review, order emphasize knowledge gaps are hindering progress proposing impactful concrete plans effects ALAN. discuss these findings respect impacts human animal health, consequences anthropogenic modification night-time environment for non-human organisms. Lastly, stress need integration field lab experiments long-term integrative eco-physiological studies rapidly expanding pollution.

Language: Английский

---

Is light pollution driving moth population declines? A review of causal mechanisms across the life cycle

Insect Conservation and Diversity, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 14(2), P. 167 - 187

Published: Sept. 13, 2020

Abstract The night‐time environment is increasingly being lit, often by broad‐spectrum lighting, and there growing evidence that artificial light at night (ALAN) has consequences for ecosystems, potentially contributing to declines in insect populations. Moths are species‐rich, sensitive ALAN, have undergone Europe, making them the ideal group investigating impacts of pollution on nocturnal insects more broadly. Here, we take a life cycle approach review ALAN moths, drawing range disciplines including ecology, physiology, applied entomology. We find diverse across most stages key behaviours. Many studies examined flight‐to‐light behaviour adults our meta‐analysis found mercury vapour, metal halide, compact fluorescent bulbs induce this than LED sodium lamps. However, can also disrupt reproduction, larval development, pupal diapause, with likely negative individual fitness, moths be indirectly affected via hostplants predators. These findings indicate could affect day‐flying through earlier stages. Overall, strong effects moth but little rigorous, direct scales up Crucially, need determine potential contribution declines, relative other drivers change. In meantime, recommend precautionary strategies mitigate possible

Language: Английский

---

Make lighting healthier

Nature, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 553(7688), P. 274 - 276

Published: Jan. 16, 2018

Language: Английский

---

Artificial light at night as a driver of evolution across urban–rural landscapes

Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 16(8), P. 472 - 479

Published: Sept. 13, 2018

Light is fundamental to biological systems, affecting the daily rhythms of bacteria, plants, and animals. Artificial light at night ( ALAN ), a ubiquitous feature urbanization, interferes with these has potential exert strong selection pressures on organisms living in urban environments. also fragments landscapes, altering movement animals into out artificially lit habitats. Although research documented phenotypic genetic differentiation between rural organisms, rarely been considered as driver evolution. We argue that importance capacity for influence multiple processes contributing evolution, makes this an important evolutionary change, one explain broad patterns population across urban–rural landscapes. Integrating 's ecology targeted powerful approach understanding life adapt increasingly urbanized world.

Language: Английский

---

Nighttime Ecology: The “Nocturnal Problem” Revisited

The American Naturalist, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 193(4), P. 481 - 502

Published: March 7, 2019

The existence of a synthetic program research on what was then termed the "nocturnal problem" and that we might now call "nighttime ecology" declared more than 70 years ago. In reality, this failed to materialize, arguably as consequence practical challenges in studying organisms at night instead concentrating circadian rhythms, mechanisms give rise them, their consequences. This legacy is evident day, with consideration ecology nighttime markedly underrepresented ecological literature. However, several factors suggest it would be timely revive vision comprehensive ecology. These include (i) study being revolutionized by new improved technologies; (ii) suggestions that, far from minor component biodiversity, high proportion animal species are active night; (iii) fundamental questions about differences connections between daytime remain largely unanswered; (iv) environment coming under severe anthropogenic pressure. article, I seek reestablish research, highlighting key focal topics providing an overview current state understanding developments.

Language: Английский

---

Mechanistic, ecological, and evolutionary consequences of artificial light at night for insects: review and prospective

Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 167(1), P. 37 - 58

Published: Jan. 1, 2019

Abstract The alternation of light and dark periods on a daily or seasonal time scale is utmost importance for the synchronization physiological behavioral processes in environment. For last 2 decades, artificial at night (ALAN) has strongly increased worldwide, disrupting photoperiod its related processes, impacting survival reproduction wild animals. ALAN now considered as major concern biodiversity human health. Here, we present why insects are relevant biological models to investigate impact ALAN. First phenotypic responses their underpinning mechanisms reviewed. consequences population dynamics, community composition functioning described second part. Because provides new widespread selective pressure, inventory evolutionary changes response this anthropogenic change. Finally, identify promising future avenues, focusing necessity understanding that could help stakeholders consider darkness resource preserve well numerous ecosystem services which involved.

Language: Английский

---