Il climate change e agriculture they are carrying the insects towards an ever more inexorable decline. This is documented by a report by University College London, according to which the combined action of these two factors in some areas has almost halved biodiversity of this class of animals. “Most insects appear to be very vulnerable to human pressure, which is worrying because climate change is getting worse and agricultural areas continue to expand,” said biologist Charlie Outhwaite, first author of the study.
To get a picture of the situation, the researchers analyzed a large set of data on the distribution and abundance of insects present on our planet, for a total of about 750,000 reports, tests and information regarding almost 20 thousand species. The aim was to understand how the exploitation of the land and the simultaneous increase in temperatures influenced insect populations in various regions.
The survey revealed that in intensively agricultural areas, where only a quarter of the surface is still intact, the addition of an additional stress factor such as global warming has resulted in a reduction in insect wealth. 49% compared to less exploited ecosystems. According to the researchers, the data is probably explained by the fact many insects use plants for protect yourself from the heat, therefore a loss of natural habitat would make them more vulnerable to global warming. As proof of this, there would also be the fact that where the territory is 75% devoid of fields, the abundance of insects decreased by only 7%.
“Our findings highlight the urgency of action to preserve natural habitats, slow the expansion of intensive agriculture and cut emissions to mitigate climate change,” Outhwaite concluded. Also because it is at stake our very survival: ‘Losing insect populations could be harmful not only to the environment, where insects often play a key role in local ecosystems,’ he continued; “but it could also harm human health and food safety, particularly due to the loss of pollinators.” The researchers also reported that the insect decline it could be even more pronounced than their findings suggest, as many of the heavily man-made areas (eg tropical zones) reported biodiversity losses long before the study began.
The research results were published in the journal Nature.