Wildlife

Global Insect Decline

The global decline of insect populations has become increasingly evident in recent years, with not just a decrease in individual insect numbers but also a collapse in insect diversity. A special issue of the journal Biology Letters has been published to provide a comprehensive understanding of the causes and consequences of this alarming trend.

The experts concluded that the primary drivers of the worldwide insect decline are land-use intensification, climate change, and the spread of invasive animal species due to human trade. Ecosystems deteriorated by humans are more susceptible to climate change and so are their insect communities.

Additionally, invasive species can more easily establish themselves in habitats damaged by human activity, displacing native species. As a result, while many insect species decline or become extinct, a few others, including invasive species, thrive and increase. This decreases diversity among insect communities across habitats. Specialized insect species suffer the most from these changes, while more generalized species tend to survive. The consequences of this development are far-reaching and generally detrimental for ecosystems.