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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Do pesticides promote or hinder sustainability in agriculture? The challenge of sustainable use of pesticides in modern agriculture

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 795, P. 148625 - 148625

Published: June 30, 2021

Language: Английский

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A window to the world of global insect declines: Moth biodiversity trends are complex and heterogeneous

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

Published: Jan. 11, 2021

Moths are the most taxonomically and ecologically diverse insect taxon for which there exist considerable time-series abundance data. There is an alarming record of decreases in moth diversity from across Europe, with rates varying markedly among within regions. Recent reports Costa Rica reveal steep cross-lineage declines caterpillars, while other sites (Ecuador Arizona, reported here) show no or only modest long-term over past two decades. Rates decline dietary ecological specialists steeper than those generalized taxa. Additional traits commonly associated elevated risks include large wingspans, small geographic ranges, low dispersal ability, univoltinism; taxa grasslands, aridlands, nutrient-poor habitats also appear to be at higher risk. In temperate areas, many limited historically by abiotic factors increasing range. We regard important continental-scale stressors reductions habitat quality quantity resulting land-use change climate and, a lesser extent, atmospheric nitrification introduced species. Site-specific pesticide use light pollution. Our assessment global macrolepidopteran population trends includes numerous cases both region-wide local losses studies that report declines. Spatial variation suggests multiple play. With exception recent Rica, severe examples Northern Hemisphere regions high human-population density intensive agriculture.

Language: Английский

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Urbanisation drivers and underlying mechanisms of terrestrial insect diversity loss in cities

Ecological Entomology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 46(4), P. 757 - 771

Published: April 30, 2021

1. Urbanisation is one of the main land‐use changes behind global insect collapse. Despite that previous studies have described negative effects urbanisation on communities, so far there no synthesis considers multiple urban drivers, their combined effects, and role species traits altogether. 2. Here we developed an integrative framework underlying mechanisms terrestrial loss in cities by exploring five leading drivers: impervious surfaces, habitat fragmentation, heat island, pollution, exotic plants. For each driver, identified direct indirect (mediated through interactions or resources) populations emphasising as moderators such effects. 3. Body size, mobility, oviposition/nesting requirements were frequently defined vulnerability to drivers. Urban island pollution deserve further research from a community‐level approach. Direct drivers dominated literature, while most paths mediated resources rather than interactions. 4. In conclusion, our review showed challenges recognising particular for driver By doing so, intended encourage researchers address some gaps noticed order fully understand how affecting communities. Finally, outlined recent planning strategies future successfully conserve biodiversity.

Language: Английский

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The vicious cycle of biophobia

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 38(6), P. 512 - 520

Published: Jan. 25, 2023

People can express irrational fears and disgust responses towards certain wild organisms. This so-called 'biophobia' be useful indeed necessary in some circumstances. Biophobia can, however, also lead to excessive distress anxiety which, turn, result people avoiding interactions with nature. Here, we highlight concern that this reduction nature might progressive increases biophobia, entrenching it more individuals across society. We propose the 'vicious cycle of biophobia', a concept encapsulates how aversion emerge grow The vicious biophobia risks accelerating extinction experience, leading long-term adverse consequences for conservation biodiversity.

Language: Английский

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Why do so many modern people hate insects? The urbanization–disgust hypothesis

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 777, P. 146229 - 146229

Published: March 7, 2021

Language: Английский

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Invertebrate biodiversity and conservation

Current Biology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 31(19), P. R1214 - R1218

Published: Oct. 1, 2021

Language: Английский

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Negative impact of roadside mowing on arthropod fauna and its reduction with ‘arthropod‐friendly’ mowing technique

Journal of Applied Entomology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 146(5), P. 465 - 472

Published: Feb. 2, 2022

Abstract An underestimated factor that contributes to the decline of insects observed during last year is probably mortality, which caused by mowing grassland. We studied negative impact on arthropod fauna roadside grassland, might serve as potential habitat for prevent their local extinction and corridor dispersal in anthropogenic landscapes. In addition, we if losses due can be mitigated use ‘arthropod‐friendly’ technique. agreement with earlier studies, found a conventional head (MK 1200 from MULAG) considerable arthropods, ranging 29% Heteroptera over around 50% Araneae, Cicadina, Hymenoptera Diptera, up 73% holometabolous larvae, 87% Lepidoptera. These were fully offset Heteroptera, Lepidoptera larvae when using Eco MULAG, was designed ‘arthropod‐friendly’. For reduced 15% 25% respectively. Saltatoria Coleoptera, did not find any significant differences between all treatments. data demonstrate roadsides technology has highly detrimental effect grassland fauna. However, this or at least Therefore, technique high reduce insect making these areas insects.

Language: Английский

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Global insect decline is the result of wilful political failure: A battle plan for entomology

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 12(10)

Published: Oct. 1, 2022

The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment assessed ecosystem change, human wellbeing and scientific evidence for sustainable use of biological systems. Despite intergovernmental acknowledgement the problem, global ecological decline has continued, including declines in insect biodiversity, which received much media attention recent years. Several roadmaps to averting have failed due various economic political factors, so biodiversity loss continues, driven by several interacting pressures. Humans are innately linked with nature but tend take it granted. benefits we gain from world broad, yet aversion or phobias invertebrates common, stand firmly path their successful conservation. Providing an integrated synthesis policy teams, conservation NGOs, academic researchers those interested public engagement, this article considers: (1) lack progress preserve protect insects. (2) Examples relating contributions insects make people worldwide, consequently what lose. (3) How engage public, governmental organizations through "insect people" better address declines. International will consistently acknowledged existence decline, apart a few narrow cases charismatic megafauna, little meaningful change been achieved. Public values reflected willpower, being made across world, changing views on should initiate much-needed sea-change. Taking both existing activity required future actions, outline entomologist's "battle plan" enormously expand our efforts become champions that natural needs.

Language: Английский

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Less overall, but more of the same: drivers of insect population trends lead to community homogenization

Biology Letters, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 19(3)

Published: March 1, 2023

Language: Английский

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