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.
(Score: 2) by opinionated_science on Tuesday February 12 2019, @03:46PM (2 children)
Reading that in the abstract (my emphasis) - *clickbait* - "qualification should be supported by quantification."
If there's a non-pay link, I'd be happy to provide a proper review...
(Score: -1, Flamebait) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday February 12 2019, @04:57PM
tl;dr
The numbers were pulled from Al Gore's arse.
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday February 12 2019, @05:07PM
You can always direct download a paper by doing this: https://sci-hub.tw/10.1016/j.biocon.2019.01.020 [sci-hub.tw]
Sometimes the domain changes from .tw to whatever else.