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Three-quarters of the total insect population lost in protected nature reserves
Since 1989, in 63 nature reserves in Germany the total biomass of flying insects has decreased by more than 75 percent. This decrease has long been suspected but has turned out to be more severe than previously thought. Ecologists from Radboud University together with German and English colleagues published these findings in the scientific journal PLOS ONE [open, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185809] [DX] on October 18th.
In recent years, it became clear that the numbers of many types of insects such as butterflies and bees were declining in Western Europe and North America. "However, the fact that flying insects are decreasing at such a high rate in such a large area is an even more alarming discovery," states Hans de Kroon, project leader at Radboud University.
Entomologists (insect researchers) in Krefeld, Germany, led by Martin Sorg and Heinz Schwan, collected data over the past 27 years in 63 different places within nature reserves across Germany. Flying insects were trapped in so called malaise traps and the total biomass was then weighed and compared. The researchers from Nijmegen, Germany and England have now been able to analyse this treasure trove of data for the first time.
Also at CNN.
(Score: 2) by bob_super on Friday October 20 2017, @05:32PM (2 children)
Maybe, the German insects have learnt to avoid Malaise traps after27 years ?
(Score: 3, Insightful) by edIII on Friday October 20 2017, @08:31PM (1 child)
Maybe, that would be an interesting development. However, dollars to donuts, the true cause will found to be chemical. Specifically, the chemicals in pesticides. Neonics are a huge problem and responsible for declines in bee populations, as well as other insects.
Unintended Consequences.
The real issue is that it is hard to accept that a particular way of handling insects may be bad for us in the long run when shareholders are present. Nobody (but really just avaricious sociopathic fucks) cares about the environment, our ecologies, or our future when the money is involved.
Technically, lunchtime is at any moment. It's just a wave function.
(Score: 2) by Gaaark on Friday October 20 2017, @10:13PM
My guess is that the Germans have just put out too many traps and the decline is because of too many traps! (Soldier-ant Ackbar: "It's a trap! In the Castle of Aaargh")
Or... you know.... what you said. Probably what you said.
:)
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. I have always been here. ---Gaaark 2.0 --