More than 75 percent decline over 27 years in total flying insect biomass in protected areas

Summary

Global declines in insects have sparked wide interest among scientists, politicians, and the general public. Loss of insect diversity and abundance is expected to provoke cascading effects on food webs and to jeopardize ecosystem services. Our understanding of the extent and underlying causes of this decline is based on the abundance of single species or taxonomic groups only, rather than changes in insect biomass which is more relevant for ecological functioning. Here, we used a standardized protocol to measure total insect biomass using Malaise traps, deployed over 27 years in 63 nature protection areas in Germany (96 unique location-year combinations) to infer on the status and trend of local entomofauna. Our analysis estimates a seasonal decline of 76%, and mid-summer decline of 82% in flying insect biomass over the 27 years of study. We show that this decline is apparent regardless of habitat type, while changes in weather, land use, and habitat characteristics cannot explain this overall decline. This yet unrecognized loss of insect biomass must be taken into account in evaluating declines in abundance of species depending on insects as a food source, and ecosystem functioning in the European landscape.

Related articles

• Environmental Ethics and Philosophy: An Exploration

  This document is an academic assignment exploring various concepts related to environmental ethics, ecology, and the philosophical relationship between humans and nature. It consists of multiple questions that require long-form answers discussing key themes and theories.

• Environmental Ethics and Ecosophy: Concepts and Perspectives

  This document discusses various concepts related to the environment, including definitions of ecology, ecosystems, and the philosophical framework of ecosophy. It covers the relationship between applied ethics and environmental ethics, the significance of ecosophy, and perspectives from classical Indian philosophy and religious viewpoints.

• Our Planet: From Deserts to Grasslands - Full Episode

  This document details various ecosystems and the interconnectedness of wildlife, showcasing topics such as wildlife migration, the impact of climate change, and the resilience of nature. It emphasizes the importance of understanding and supporting the natural world's functionality.

• Types of Soil and Soil Conservation Measures

  This document discusses various types of soil, their characteristics, formation processes, and measures for soil conservation to combat erosion. It covers soil types such as laterite and arid soils, and highlights the impact of human activities and natural forces on soil erosion.

• A diversity of sustainable lifestyles in 2050: Future SLIM scenario narratives for deep climate change mitigation

  This paper discusses four comprehensive lifestyle scenario narratives, known as the Sustainable Living in Models (SLIM) scenarios, which explore plausible alternative futures where lifestyle changes significantly contribute to climate change mitigation. The narratives emerge from multidisciplinary workshops and aim to inform policymaking by integrating qualitative and quantitative approaches.