Tropical regions show the greatest risk for insect declines
The combined influence of climate change and expanding agriculture are causing insect populations to plummet in some parts of the world, according to a new study that determined the abundance of bugs has dropped by half in the hardest-hit places.
It’s the latest in a number of recent studies that warn insects are declining at alarming rates around the world. Deforestation and expanding agricultural land use are degrading insect habitats, while global warming is altering the climate conditions that many species require to survive. That’s on top of other threats, such as pollution and the spread of invasive species.
Areas with more intense agriculture—which typically involve more land degradation, more chemicals, more livestock and less plant diversity—had greater insect declines than areas less intensely farmed. At the same time, warming caused greater declines in all areas. The researchers also found that insects in some temperate regions of the globe actually saw a positive influence from climate change. But even that isn’t necessarily good news.
But the study does demonstrate that insects in places affected by intense agriculture and significant warming tend to fare worse, especially in the world’s vulnerable tropics. And, crucially, it highlights the ways these two factors can magnify one another when combined.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
The Two Drivers of Massive Insect Population Die-Off Have Finally Been IdentifiedThey help us put food on our tables through pollination and nutrient recycling. They break down and dispose of organic waste, and are food for many animals.
Read more »
Climate change and farming may have halved some insect populationsInsects are on the decline because of the combined effects of climate change and intense agriculture, with the worst-hit areas seeing a 49 per cent drop in insect numbers
Read more »
The Two Drivers of Massive Insect Population Die-Off Have Finally Been IdentifiedThey help us put food on our tables through pollination and nutrient recycling. They break down and dispose of organic waste, and are food for many animals.
Read more »
New Jersey Spending $21M on Projects to Fight Climate ChangeNew Jersey is spending $21 million on projects to help fight climate change, including purchasing electric trucks for some municipalities and handing out grants for projects to restore salt marshes, sea grass beds, forests and other areas.
Read more »
Feeling Anxiety Around Climate Change? You're Not Alone. Here's What to Know About ‘Climate Distress'Some people are worried about climate change to the point that they need therapy.
Read more »
Under a new policy, federal agencies will have to weigh the climate costs of their actionsPresident Joe Biden changed NEPA guidelines to include the costs of climate change, holding to a pattern of environmental policies that strive for accountability.
Read more »