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

---

Meta-analysis reveals declines in terrestrial but increases in freshwater insect abundances

Science, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 368(6489), P. 417 - 420

Published: April 24, 2020

Recent case studies showing substantial declines of insect abundances have raised alarm, but how widespread such patterns are remains unclear. We compiled data from 166 long-term surveys assemblages across 1676 sites to investigate trends in over time. Overall, we found considerable variation even among adjacent an average decline terrestrial abundance by ~9% per decade and increase freshwater ~11% decade. Both were largely driven strong North America some European regions. associations with potential drivers (e.g., land-use drivers), protected areas tended be weaker. Our findings provide a more nuanced view spatiotemporal than previously suggested.

Language: Английский

---

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

---

Climate change: an enduring challenge for vector-borne disease prevention and control

Nature Immunology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 21(5), P. 479 - 483

Published: April 20, 2020

Language: Английский

---

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

---

Global change biology: A primer

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 26(1), P. 3 - 30

Published: Oct. 30, 2019

Abstract Because of human action, the Earth has entered an era where profound changes in global environment are creating novel conditions that will be discernable far into future. One consequence may a large reduction Earth's biodiversity, potentially representing sixth mass extinction. With effective stewardship, change drivers threaten biota could alleviated, but this requires clear understanding drivers, their interactions, and how they impact ecological communities. This review identifies 10 anthropogenic discusses six (atmospheric CO 2 enrichment, climate change, land transformation, species exploitation, exotic invasions, eutrophication) biodiversity. Driver impacts on particular positive or negative. In either case, initiate secondary responses cascade along lines connection doing so magnify initial impact. The unique nature threat to biodiversity is not simply due magnitude each driver, speed novelty interactions. Emphasizing one notably problematic because other also degrade together stability biosphere. As main academic journal addressing effects living systems, GCB well positioned provide leadership solving challenge. If humanity cannot meet challenge, then serve as leading chronicle extinction occur planet Earth.

Language: Английский

---

Farmland practices are driving bird population decline across Europe

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 120(21)

Published: May 15, 2023

Declines in European bird populations are reported for decades but the direct effect of major anthropogenic pressures on such declines remains unquantified. Causal relationships between and population responses difficult to identify as interact at different spatial scales vary among species. Here, we uncover time-series 170 common species, monitored more than 20,000 sites 28 countries, over 37 y, four widespread pressures: agricultural intensification, change forest cover, urbanisation temperature last decades. We quantify influence each pressure its importance relative other pressures, traits most affected find that particular pesticides fertiliser use, is main declines, especially invertebrate feeders. Responses changes species-specific. Specifically, cover associated with a positive growing negative dynamics, while has an dynamics large number populations, magnitude direction which depend species' thermal preferences. Our results not only confirm pervasive strong effects breeding birds, strength these stressing urgent need transformative way inhabiting world if shall have chance recovering.

Language: Английский

---

Climate change‐mediated temperature extremes and insects: From outbreaks to breakdowns

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 26(12), P. 6685 - 6701

Published: Oct. 2, 2020

Abstract Insects are among the most diverse and widespread animals across biosphere well‐known for their contributions to ecosystem functioning services. Recent increases in frequency magnitude of climatic extremes (CE), particular temperature (TE) owing anthropogenic climate change, exposing insect populations communities unprecedented stresses. However, a major problem understanding responses TE is that they still highly unpredictable both spatially temporally, which reduces frequency‐ or direction‐dependent selective by insects. Moreover, how species interactions community structure may change response stresses imposed poorly understood. Here we provide an overview terrestrial insects respond integrating organismal physiology, multitrophic, community‐level interactions, building up explore scenarios population explosions crashes have ecosystem‐level consequences. We argue can push herbivores natural enemies even beyond adaptive limits, differ intimately involved trophic leading phenological disruptions structural reorganization food webs. ultimately lead outbreak–breakdown cycles with detrimental consequences resilience. Lastly, suggest new research lines will help achieve better wide range CE.

Language: Английский

---

Impacts of endocrine disrupting chemicals on reproduction in wildlife and humans

Environmental Research, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 208, P. 112584 - 112584

Published: Dec. 21, 2021

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are ubiquitous in aquatic and terrestrial environments. The main objective of this review was to summarize the current knowledge impacts EDCs on reproductive success wildlife humans. examples selected often include a retrospective assessment over time discern how effects have changed last several decades. Collectively, evidence summarized here within reinforce concept that reproduction humans is negatively impacted by anthropogenic chemicals, with altering endocrine system function. These observations interfering different aspects axis particularly pronounced for species corroborated laboratory-based experiments (i.e. fish, amphibians, birds). Noteworthy, many these same indicators also observed epidemiological studies mammalian Given vast array strategies used animals, it perhaps not surprising no single disrupted target predictive effects. Nevertheless, there some general features control reproduction, particular, critical role steroid hormones play processes confer high degree susceptibility environmental chemicals. New research needed implications chemical exposures during development potential long-term Future emphasis field-based can form basis more deliberate, extensive, population level monitor contaminant effects, including adverse system, key addressing gaps.

Language: Английский

---

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

---