Insect decline in the Anthropocene: Death by a thousand cuts

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 118(2)

Published: Jan. 11, 2021

Nature is under siege. In the last 10,000 y human population has grown from 1 million to 7.8 billion. Much of Earth’s arable lands are already in agriculture (1), millions acres tropical forest cleared each year (2, 3), atmospheric CO2 levels at their highest concentrations more than 3 (4), and climates erratically steadily changing pole pole, triggering unprecedented droughts, fires, floods across continents. Indeed, most biologists agree that world entered its sixth mass extinction event, first since end Cretaceous Period 66 ago, when 80% all species, including nonavian dinosaurs, perished. Ongoing losses have been clearly demonstrated for better-studied groups organisms. Terrestrial vertebrate sizes ranges contracted by one-third, many mammals experienced range declines least over century (5). A 2019 assessment suggests half amphibians imperiled (2.5% which recently gone extinct) (6). Bird numbers North America fallen 2.9 billion 1970 (7). Prospects world’s coral reefs, beyond middle this century, could scarcely be dire (8). 2020 United Nations report estimated a species danger next few decades (9), but also see bridled assessments refs. 10 11. Although flurry reports drawn attention insect abundance, biomass, richness, (e.g., 12⇓⇓⇓⇓⇓–18; reviews 19 20), whether rates insects on par with or exceed those other remains unknown. There still too … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence may addressed. Email: david.wagner{at}uconn.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1

Language: Английский

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Scientists' warning to humanity on insect extinctions

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 242, P. 108426 - 108426

Published: Feb. 1, 2020

Here we build on the manifesto 'World Scientists' Warning to Humanity, issued by Alliance of World Scientists. As a group conservation biologists deeply concerned about decline insect populations, here review what know drivers extinctions, their consequences, and how extinctions can negatively impact humanity. We are causing driving habitat loss, degradation, fragmentation, use polluting harmful substances, spread invasive species, global climate change, direct overexploitation, co-extinction species dependent other species. With lose much more than abundance biomass insects, diversity across space time with consequent homogenization, large parts tree life, unique ecological functions traits, fundamental extensive networks biotic interactions. Such losses lead key ecosystem services which humanity depends. From pollination decomposition, being resources for new medicines, quality indication many others, insects provide essential irreplaceable services. appeal urgent action close knowledge gaps curb extinctions. An investment in research programs that generate local, regional strategies counter this trend is essential. Solutions available implementable, but needed now match our intentions.

Language: Английский

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Agricultural intensification and climate change are rapidly decreasing insect biodiversity

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 118(2)

Published: Jan. 11, 2021

Major declines in insect biomass and diversity, reviewed here, have become obvious well documented since the end of World War II. Here, we conclude that spread intensification agriculture during past half century is directly related to these losses. In addition, many areas, including tropical mountains, are suffering serious losses because climate change as well. Crops currently occupy about 11% world's land surface, with active grazing taking place over an additional 30%. The industrialization second 20th involved farming on greatly expanded scales, monoculturing, application increasing amounts pesticides fertilizers, elimination interspersed hedgerows other wildlife habitat fragments, all practices destructive biodiversity near fields. Some insects destroying, pollinators predators crop pests, beneficial crops. tropics generally, natural vegetation being destroyed rapidly often replaced export crops such oil palm soybeans. To mitigate effects Sixth Mass Extinction event caused experiencing now, following will be necessary: a stable (and almost certainly lower) human population, sustainable levels consumption, social justice empowers less wealthy people nations world, where vast majority us live, necessary.

Language: Английский

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Chemical pollution: A growing peril and potential catastrophic risk to humanity

Environment International, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 156, P. 106616 - 106616

Published: May 12, 2021

Anthropogenic chemical pollution has the potential to pose one of largest environmental threats humanity, but global understanding issue remains fragmented. This article presents a comprehensive perspective threat emphasising male fertility, cognitive health and food security. There are serious gaps in our scale risks posed by dispersal, mixture recombination chemicals wider environment. Although some control measures exist they often not being adopted at rate needed avoid chronic acute effects on human now coming decades. is an urgent need for enhanced awareness scientific scrutiny overall risk usage, dispersal disposal.

Language: Английский

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Meta-analysis of multidecadal biodiversity trends in Europe

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 11(1)

Published: July 13, 2020

Abstract Local biodiversity trends over time are likely to be decoupled from global trends, as local processes may compensate or counteract change. We analyze 161 long-term biological series (15–91 years) collected across Europe, using a comprehensive dataset comprising ~6,200 marine, freshwater and terrestrial taxa. test whether (i) consistent among biogeoregions, realms taxonomic groups, (ii) changes in correlate with regional climate conditions. Our results reveal that of abundance, richness diversity differ demonstrating at scale often complex cannot easily generalized. However, we find increases abundance increasing temperature naturalness well clear spatial pattern community composition (i.e. temporal turnover) most biogeoregions Northern Eastern Europe.

Language: Английский

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Beyond organic farming – harnessing biodiversity-friendly landscapes

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 36(10), P. 919 - 930

Published: Aug. 3, 2021

Biodiversity continues to decline rapidly, despite decades of repeated national and international policy efforts. Agricultural intensification is a major driver biodiversity losses, while conversion organic farming has been suggested as key technique halt or reverse this trend.In contrast widespread view, certified agriculture raises local richness species by just third when compared conventional farming. This achieved through waiving synthetic agrochemicals, but leads considerable yield requiring the more land obtain similar yields.Diversifying cropland reducing field size on landscape level can multiply in both without productivity.Complementing such increases heterogeneity with at least 20% seminatural habitat per should be recommendation current frameworks. We challenge appraisal that fundamental alternative for harnessing agricultural landscapes. Certification production largely restricted banning resulting limited benefits high losses ongoing specialisation. In contrast, successful measures enhance include diversifying size, which sustaining yields systems. Achieving landscape-level mosaic natural patches fine-grained diversification promoting large-scale biodiversity. needs urgently acknowledged makers an paradigm shift. decline, implementation conservation conventions, Convention Biological Diversity (1992), UN Decade (2011–2020), many other schemes, had little success [1.Kleijn D. et al.Does farmland contribute halting decline?.Trends Ecol. Evol. 2011; 26: 474-481Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (0) Google Scholar,2.Pe'er G. al.Adding some green greening: improving EU's ecological focus areas farmers.Conserv. Lett. 2017; 10: 517-530Crossref Scholar]. Agriculture considered main cause global [3.Sánchez-Bayo F. Wyckhuys K.A.G. Worldwide entomofauna: A review its drivers.Biol. Conserv. 2019; 232: 8-27Crossref (919) Scholar, 4.Seibold S. al.Arthropod grasslands forests associated drivers.Nature. 574: 671-674Crossref (306) 5.Lichtenberg E.M. al.A synthesis effects diversified systems arthropod diversity within fields across landscapes.Glob. Chang. Biol. 23: 4946-4957Crossref (123) Scholar], objectives still collide FAO calls higher crop feed world [6.Tscharntke T. al.Global food security, future intensification.Biol. 2012; 151: 53-59Crossref (1050) The model intensification, based agrochemical inputs, large monocultures homogenisation, successfully increased yields, severe ecosystem services, even neighbouring nature reserves Scholar,5.Lichtenberg 6.Tscharntke 7.Kormann U. al.Local management drive trait-mediated nine taxa small grassland fragments.Divers. Distrib. 2015; 21: 1204-1217Crossref (62) Current trends only reversed concerted effort fundamentally redesign landscapes [8.Landis D.A. Designing biodiversity-based services.Basic Appl. 18: 1-12Crossref (262) 9.Grass I. al.Land-sharing/-sparing connectivity services conservation.People Nat. 1: 262-272Google 10.Grass al.Combining land-sparing land-sharing European landscapes.Adv. Res. 2021; 64: 251-303Crossref (14) Scholar]; is, shift agriculture. Certified farming, agrochemicals [11.Seufert V. Ramankutty N. Many shades gray – context-dependent performance agriculture.Sci. Adv. 3e1602638Crossref Scholar] achieve sustainability general particular, often claimed [12.Niggli Sustainability production: challenges innovations.Proc. Nutr. Soc. 74: 83-88Crossref (39) 13.Bosshard A. International Federation Organic Movements IFOAM Guide Landscape Quality Agriculture. IFOAM, 2009Google 14.Geiger al.Persistent negative pesticides biological control potential farmland.Basic 2010; 11: 97-105Crossref (724) However, contribution stop appears exaggerated public perception [15.Hole D.G. benefit biodiversity?.Biol. 2005; 122: 113-130Crossref Scholar,16.Schneider M.K. al.Gains organically farmed are not propagated farm level.Nat. Commun. 2014; 5: 4151Crossref (64) fact, switching from practices [17.Tuck S.L. al.Land-use intensity biodiversity: hierarchical meta-analysis.J. 51: 746-755Crossref (367) so needed produce same amount Scholar,18.Meemken E.-M. Qaim M. agriculture, environment.Annu. Rev. Resour. Econ. 2018; 39-63Crossref (82) Surprisingly, wealth biodiversity-friendly implemented have far poorly adopted [19.Kleijn al.Ecological intensification: bridging gap between science practice.Trends 34: 154-166Abstract (147) 20.Sirami C. al.Increasing enhances multitrophic regions.Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 116: 16442-16447Crossref 21.Batary P. al.Landscape-moderated importance hedges conserving bird vs. croplands grasslands.Biol. 143: 2020-2027Crossref (102) 22.Haan N.L. al.Designing arthropod-based North America.Adv. 191-250Crossref (1) 23.Boetzl F.A. multitaxa assessment effectiveness agri-environmental schemes management.Proc. 118: 1-9Crossref (3) Here, we restoring After considering essential propose effective solutions towards friendly ways integrate scales existing well policies. 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Lastly, products profitable farmers, consumers, governments, pay premium prices Scholar,30.Batáry Scholar,34.Reganold J.P. Wachter J.M. twenty-first century.Nat. Plants. 2016; 2: 1-8Crossref (464) there limitations reduced misconceptions about pesticide use, taxon-specific commercial production. While waste meat consumption security lower additional obstacles [35.Gabriel al.Food comparing agriculture.J. 2013; 50: 355-364Crossref (134) When measured unit necessary defined output (e.g., number kilograms produced) simply hectare wheat), disappear [10.Grass Scholar,36.Kremen Reframing land-sparing/land-sharing debate conservation.Ann. 1355: 52-76Crossref (207) Globally all crops, 19–25% [18.Meemken Vegetables cereals show highest gaps [37.Seufert al.Comparing agriculture.Nature. 485: 229-232Crossref (1006) up 50% decrease [30.Batáry Scholar,35.Gabriel however, fruits oilseed Moreover, it myth principally waive pesticides. Pesticides allowed under labels long derived substances rather ones Widespread insecticides used pyrethrin, chrysanthemum, azadirachtin Asian neem tree. Copper sulfate applied cope fungal bacterial diseases, example, vineyards, orchards, vegetables [38.Nascimbene al.Organic plant vineyard located intensive landscapes.Environ. Manag. 49: 1054-1060Crossref (38) persistent accumulates soils [39.Tamm L. al.Reduktion von Pflanzenschutzmitteln der Schweiz: Beitrag des Biolandbaus.Agrarforschung Schweiz. 52–59Google Natural do much damage [40.Biondi al.Using organic-certified may safer agents: selectivity side 14 predator Orius laevigatus.Chemosphere. 87: 803-812Crossref (305) vast majority rarely treated potatoes, vegetables, hops, grapes, regularly heavily For instance, spraying grapes apples shown less Scholar,39.Tamm Overall, suggests smart application strategies use Integrated Pest Pollinator Management techniques) regardless [14.Geiger Scholar,41.Tscharntke al.When fails pest Five hypotheses.Biol. 204: 449-458Crossref (241) Scholar,42.Müller Impacts sublethal insecticide exposure insects facts knowledge gaps.Basic 30: 1-10Crossref (56) Similarly, harmful overfertilisation occurs mineral manure [43.Klimek al.Additive partitioning respect regime, fertilisation abiotic factors.Basic 9: 626-634Crossref (45) Importantly, spectrum [5.Lichtenberg Scholar,44.Forrest J.R.K. al.Contrasting patterns functional-trait landscape.J. 52: 706-715Crossref noncrop due missing herbicides, whereas mobile, landscape-dependent insect populations Furthermore, applications common great habitats. These habitats hedges, herbaceous boundaries, traditional, uneconomic agroecosystems calcareous orchard meadows [21.Batary Scholar,45.Weibull A.-C. butterflies landscape: system heterogeneity.Ecography. 2000; 743-750Crossref meta-analysis agrienvironment found off-field measures, margins hedgerows, twice in-field [46.Batáry agri-environment management.Conserv. 29: 1006-1016Crossref (419) diversity, butterfly [45.Weibull Increasing hedge length 250 m one 12 species, increasingly intensified, specialised, away idealism enthusiasm original movement (Figure 1). family characterised beginning movement, modern huge monocultures, resembling fields. come sterile greenhouse blocks cultures plastic sheets, covering entire Almeria Province (Spain) heart Europe's where >50% grown proportion increasing over last decade 1.4% 10.3% [47.Dundas Farming "Supersized": An Imperfect Solution Planet?.2019Google Further examples landscape-damaging produced blocks, favourably doubling extending growing seasons, cost [48.Chang greenhouses beyond supply?.Front. 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Prot. 120: 85-94Crossref (37) Scholar,52.Bennett A.J. al.Meeting demand rotations.Biol. 52-71Crossref (247) Scholar]). simplified deplete soils, promote infestations, resistance applications, risk resource bottlenecks pollinators biocontrol agents [53.Schellhorn N.A. al.Time will tell: continuity bolsters services.Trends 524-530Abstract (133) increase declines [52.Bennett provided mixed pattern alone combined practices, wildflower strips, effectively stability pollination 54.Rundlöf al.Late-season mass-flowering red clover bumble bee queen male densities.Biol. 172: 138-145Crossref 55.Westphal al.Mass flowering improves early colony growth sexual reproduction bumblebees.J. 2009; 46: 187-193Crossref Globally, 15% longer (4.5 instead 3.8 years). Still, average 48% [56.Barbieri farming.Sci. Rep. 7: Diversification multicropping reduce 8–9% [57.Ponisio L.C. al.Diversification gap.Proc. R. B 282: 20141396Crossref could longer, 7-year period [26.Mäder uptake [58.Seufert al.Current contributions system.Agroecosyst. Divers. 2019: 435-452Crossref (7) Instead, trend intensify Scholar,59.Garibaldi L.A. Pérez-Méndez Positive outcomes employment worldwide.Ecol. 164: 106358Crossref (18) Scholar].Table 1Biodiversity scales, illustrated meta-analyses syntheses showing quantified estimatesMeasuresQuantified findingsRefsLocal scaleOff-field vs measuresMeasures areas, roughly enhancing richnes

Language: Английский

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Interpreting insect declines: seven challenges and a way forward

Insect Conservation and Diversity, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 13(2), P. 103 - 114

Published: March 1, 2020

Abstract Many insect species are under threat from the anthropogenic drivers of global change. There have been numerous well‐documented examples population declines and extinctions in scientific literature, but recent weaker studies making extreme claims a crisis drawn widespread media coverage brought unprecedented public attention. This spotlight might be double‐edged sword if veracity alarmist decline statements do not stand up to close scrutiny. We identify seven key challenges drawing robust inference about declines: establishment historical baseline, representativeness site selection, robustness time series trend estimation, mitigation detection bias effects, ability account for potential artefacts density dependence, phenological shifts scale‐dependence extrapolation sample abundance population‐level inference. Insect fluctuations complex. Greater care is needed when evaluating evidence trends identifying those trends. present guidelines best‐practise approaches that avoid methodological errors, mitigate biases produce more analyses Despite many existing pitfalls, we forward‐looking prospectus future monitoring, highlighting opportunities creative exploitation baseline data, technological advances sampling novel computational approaches. Entomologists cannot tackle these alone, it only through collaboration with citizen scientists, other research scientists disciplines, data analysts next generation researchers will bridge gap between little bugs big data.

Language: Английский

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Deep learning and computer vision will transform entomology

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 118(2)

Published: Jan. 11, 2021

Most animal species on Earth are insects, and recent reports suggest that their abundance is in drastic decline. Although these come from a wide range of insect taxa regions, the evidence to assess extent phenomenon sparse. Insect populations challenging study, most monitoring methods labor intensive inefficient. Advances computer vision deep learning provide potential new solutions this global challenge. Cameras other sensors can effectively, continuously, noninvasively perform entomological observations throughout diurnal seasonal cycles. The physical appearance specimens also be captured by automated imaging laboratory. When trained data, models estimates abundance, biomass, diversity. Further, quantify variation phenotypic traits, behavior, interactions. Here, we connect developments urgent demand for more cost-efficient insects invertebrates. We present examples sensor-based insects. show how tools applied exceptionally large datasets derive ecological information discuss challenges lie ahead implementation such entomology. identify four focal areas, which will facilitate transformation: 1) validation image-based taxonomic identification; 2) generation sufficient training data; 3) development public, curated reference databases; 4) integrate molecular tools.

Language: Английский

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Agriculture and climate change are reshaping insect biodiversity worldwide

Nature, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 605(7908), P. 97 - 102

Published: April 20, 2022

Language: Английский

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The decline of butterflies in Europe: Problems, significance, and possible solutions

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 118(2)

Published: Jan. 11, 2021

We review changes in the status of butterflies Europe, focusing on long-running population data available for United Kingdom, Netherlands, and Belgium, based standardized monitoring transects. In 8% resident species have become extinct, since 1976 overall numbers declined by around 50%. 20% 1990 country Distribution trends showed that butterfly distributions began decreasing long ago, between 1890 1940, 80%. Flanders (Belgium), 20 extinct (29%), 1992 2007 30%. A European Grassland Butterfly Indicator from 16 countries shows there has been a 39% decline grassland 1990. The 2010 Red List listed 38 482 (8%) as threatened 44 (10%) near (note 47 were not assessed). level analysis indicates average rating is highest central mid-Western Europe lowest far north Mediterranean. causes are thought to be similar most countries, mainly habitat loss degradation chemical pollution. Climate change allowing many spread northward while bringing new threats susceptible species. describe examples possible conservation solutions summary policy needed conserve other insects.

Language: Английский

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