Scientists are concerned about a serious reduction in insects, without which the development of agricultural production would be in question. This is even despite the fact that some types of insects, on the contrary, cause enormous damage to vegetation.
Experts emphasize that, to a large extent, the reduction of insects is the result of ill-considered human actions. Natural change is only one, but far from the main reason for the decline in insects on the planet.
These are the conclusions of the report on the sharp decline in insects - scientifically entomofauna. The report was prepared by specialists from the Universities of Sydney and Queensland from Australia and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. Here are the conclusions the scientists came to.
40% of all insect species are currently under threat of extinction, and the biomass of insects on our planet is declining by 2,5% per year. In 50 years, the current biomass of these creatures could be halved. And such a sharp reduction, according to the conclusions of experts, can cause "catastrophic" consequences for the entire ecosystem.
Until recently, the main focus was on the protection and preservation of various species of fish and large mammals, and too little attention was paid to insects. Meanwhile, 60% of birds feed on insects. This amounts to 500 million tons per year.
One more detail. 80-90% of wild plants depend on insects for pollination. Some types of insects harm humans, while others control the number of these same insects. In 2006, the US calculated that the benefits of insect "services" were $ 57 billion a year. It should be noted that recently they began to talk about the widespread use of insects for feeding animals. Readers of "KV", in particular, not so long ago could learn about the plans of Saudi Arabia to build special farms for growing flies for their subsequent use in dairy farming.
It is also well known that in many countries of Asia and Africa, insects are widely used as real food products. The local population has been using insects for food for thousands of years. FAO even published a report a few years ago urging the wider use of the menu in other parts of the world. All this must also be taken into account.
The authors of the latest study point to the main reasons for the decline in insects in the world. This is, first of all, the loss of habitats due to the onset of cities (urbanization), as well as the development of intensive agriculture. In second place is the biological effect on insects, the use of chemical means of protection, etc.
Finally - climate change and rising temperatures, which strongly affect insects, especially in tropical regions of the world.
Source: http://kvedomosti.ru