New research has found that the average rate of insect decline around the world is much lower than has been previously reported, and some insect populations are actually increasing. But there is still cause to be concerned.
Insect numbers increased on average across cropping areas of North America, with researchers suggesting some agricultural practices have improved.David Merritt, an entomologist at the University of Queensland who wasn't involved in this study, was also not very surprised by these latest findings.
While a reduced rate of insect decline is good news, the researchers behind the latest study hastened to stress that 9 per cent per decade was still very high and that there were likely to be severe consequences if the trend wasn't reversed. "We believe this is something to be taken seriously, but it's not yet too late to do something about it."Research has linked the widespread use of some pesticides, in particular neonicotinoids, to global declines in insect numbers, but Dr Merritt said there were other significant factors at play.
While the latest study found a correlation between increasing urbanisation and insect loss, the researchers were surprised to see a trend of increasing average insect numbers over cropping land in North America since the 1990s.
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