There is an alarming rate of decline in the population of insects in recent years. Scientists warned that pesticide use all over the world should be completely eradicated as soon as possible and must prioritize nature-based farming methods and immediately reduce water and light pollution. This call to action is suggested by 70 scientists and entomologists all over the world.
Entomologists also emphasized that immediate action is necessary to lessen -- if not completely eradicate -- human stress factors to insects. These human stress factors to insects include habitat loss and fragmentation, pollution, over-harvesting, and the introduction of invasive species.
PREVENTING THE INSECT APOCALYPSE IS NO EASY TASK
This task, of course, is easier said than done. Industrial farming contributes greatly to the unnoticed insect apocalypse by using synthetic pesticides and fertilizers and its aggressive greenhouse gas emissions. Dismantling this highly destructive agricultural method will come a long way in conserving insects as well as establishing which species are the priority for conservation. In a study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, insects are crucial for establishing a healthy and functional ecosystem for serving as pollinators to flowering plants and providing protein and other nutrients to their predators. The publication of this particular study is timely: scientists have warned repeatedly about the threat of the unnoticed insect apocalypse which can cause a catastrophic collapse in the ecosystem.
A worldwide scientific review published early last year reports about how 40% of insect species are declining and about ⅓ are endangered. As early as July 2017, researchers have already warned of the impending sixth mass extinction event, specifically towards wildlife. According to the study's lead author Professor Jeff Harvey of the Netherlands Institute of Ecology and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, scientists alone cannot prevent this mass extinction. They need everyone's help especially policymakers and land managers.
TIME TO TAKE MATTERS SERIOUSLY AND DO SOME ACTION
Scientists are encouraging governments all over the world to follow in the footsteps of Germany which recently announced an action plan for insect protection last September (this pledge from the German government is worth 100 million euros) and states that the decline of arthropods -- specifically insects -- is a serious threat.
The developed roadmap by scientists calls for immediate action, especially in rewilding and conservation. It is also aiming to avoid alien species at the same time watering down its impact. One key factor for the success of these conservation projects is the involvement of the community. Accordingly, the enhancement of citizen science projects is a priority to be able to improve data quality. The roadmap states, "most importantly, we should not wait to act until we have addressed every key knowledge gap. We currently have enough information on some key causes of insect decline to be able to formulate solutions and at the same time compiling data on the lesser-known taxa."
The roadmap also explains that the implementation of effective measures should always be backed by research and should strictly examine impacts wherein the results are going to be used to modify and improve said implementations. Researchers are also optimistic that this approach will ensure that these conservation strategies are flexible to new pressures and threats.
Of course, scientists are also concerned with the long-term effects that is why they are demanding for the establishment of an international body that will be able to document and/or monitor the effects of the roadmap on insect biodiversity. This international body will answer to institutions like the United Nations Environment Programme and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.
