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The first global scientific review of insect population decline was published[$] this week in the journal Biological Conservation. This is the first global study of its kind, and the term "impending catastrophe" would not be hyperbolic with respect to the findings:
Highlights
- Over 40% of insect species are threatened with extinction.
- Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera and dung beetles (Coleoptera) are the taxa most affected.
- Four aquatic taxa are imperiled and have already lost a large proportion of species.
- Habitat loss by conversion to intensive agriculture is the main driver of the declines.
- Agro-chemical pollutants, invasive species and climate change are additional causes.
For some time now we've been warned by scientists that pollinators are having a hard time, creating problems for humanity WRT many food sources. However, this study paints a far more dire picture with the possibility of irreparable harm to ecosystems on a global level. Without strong insect populations, it's not unreasonable to conclude that humanity may not continue either.
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Mass Extinction of Insects Underway
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Either I'm dead or my watch has stopped.
-- Groucho Marx's last words
(Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Tuesday February 12 2019, @02:43PM
Sorry, we can't allow that to happen. You're going to have to pay to have your body hermetically sealed to keep the CO2 out of the atmosphere. Just be glad nobody has thought of all the CO2 you're producing by breathing or they wouldn't be willing to wait that long.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.