Insects and spiders are declining in forests and grasslands across Germany, according to new research.
Scientists have described the findings as "alarming", saying the losses are driven by intensive agriculture.
They are calling for a "paradigm shift" in land-use policy to preserve habitat for the likes of butterflies, bugs and flying insects
Recent studies have reported widespread declines in insect populations around the world.
The latest analysis, published in the journal, Nature, confirms that some insect species are being pushed down the path to extinction.
It is becoming clearer and clearer that the drivers of insect decline are related to farming practices, said Dr Sebastian Seibold of the Technical University of Munich in Freising, Germany.
"Our study confirms that insect decline is real - it might be even more widespread then previously thought considering, for example, that also forests are experiencing declines in insect populations," he told BBC News.
"I think it's alarming to see that such a decline happens not only in intensively-managed areas but also in protected areas - so the sites that we think are safeguarding our biodiversity are not really working anymore."
Wednesday, November 06, 2019
There will be no bugs to eat.
Lately we've been hearing a lot about "insect protein", otherwise known as eating bugs to save on greenhouse gasses. Otherwise known as cow farts. We're bad for eating meat, we should be eating bugs.
But oh noes, the bug population is down!Just in case anyone was wondering why all the German farmers decided to drive their tractors into the city and snarl traffic, this kind of thing is why. Every day a new thing is blamed on agriculture.
It does remind me of the old joke about Soviet Hell, where there's never enough sewage for the people to drink.
ReplyDeleteShortage of demons and no fuel for the Infernal Pits.
ReplyDeleteBummer, right? ~:D