Missing the bigger picture: Why insect monitoring programs are limited in their ability to document the effects of habitat loss
Abstract The fate of insects in the Anthropocene has been widely discussed in the scientific literature, the popular media, and in policy circles. This recent attention is justified because reductions in insect abundance and diversity have the potential to undermine the stability of terrestrial ecos...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2023-05-01
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| Series: | Conservation Letters |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12951 |
| _version_ | 1797793700257988608 |
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| author | M. L. Forister S. H. Black C. S. Elphick E. M. Grames C. A. Halsch C. B. Schultz D. L. Wagner |
| author_facet | M. L. Forister S. H. Black C. S. Elphick E. M. Grames C. A. Halsch C. B. Schultz D. L. Wagner |
| author_sort | M. L. Forister |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The fate of insects in the Anthropocene has been widely discussed in the scientific literature, the popular media, and in policy circles. This recent attention is justified because reductions in insect abundance and diversity have the potential to undermine the stability of terrestrial ecosystems. Reports of insect declines have also been accompanied by skepticism that is healthy and to be expected in scientific discussion. However, we are concerned about a prevalent misconception that equates reports from monitored natural areas with the global status of insects. In the vast majority of cases, areas monitored for arthropods are undeveloped and thus do not record or even necessarily reflect the masses of insects that are continuously being impacted by habitat loss to urban, suburban and agricultural expansion. We address this misconception and discuss ways in which conservation and policy can be enhanced by correctly locating results from insect monitoring programs within our broader knowledge of biodiversity loss. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T02:51:03Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f95086e5a15b4a458063aa0cc2dee741 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1755-263X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T02:51:03Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Conservation Letters |
| spelling | doaj.art-f95086e5a15b4a458063aa0cc2dee7412023-06-28T12:22:08ZengWileyConservation Letters1755-263X2023-05-01163n/an/a10.1111/conl.12951Missing the bigger picture: Why insect monitoring programs are limited in their ability to document the effects of habitat lossM. L. Forister0S. H. Black1C. S. Elphick2E. M. Grames3C. A. Halsch4C. B. Schultz5D. L. Wagner6Department of Biology University of Nevada Reno NevadaThe Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation Portland OregonDepartment of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Connecticut Storrs ConnecticutDepartment of Biology University of Nevada Reno NevadaDepartment of Biology University of Nevada Reno NevadaSchool of Biological Sciences Washington State University Vancouver WashingtonDepartment of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Connecticut Storrs ConnecticutAbstract The fate of insects in the Anthropocene has been widely discussed in the scientific literature, the popular media, and in policy circles. This recent attention is justified because reductions in insect abundance and diversity have the potential to undermine the stability of terrestrial ecosystems. Reports of insect declines have also been accompanied by skepticism that is healthy and to be expected in scientific discussion. However, we are concerned about a prevalent misconception that equates reports from monitored natural areas with the global status of insects. In the vast majority of cases, areas monitored for arthropods are undeveloped and thus do not record or even necessarily reflect the masses of insects that are continuously being impacted by habitat loss to urban, suburban and agricultural expansion. We address this misconception and discuss ways in which conservation and policy can be enhanced by correctly locating results from insect monitoring programs within our broader knowledge of biodiversity loss.https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12951Anthropocenebiodiversityextinctioninsect declinesmonitoring |
| spellingShingle | M. L. Forister S. H. Black C. S. Elphick E. M. Grames C. A. Halsch C. B. Schultz D. L. Wagner Missing the bigger picture: Why insect monitoring programs are limited in their ability to document the effects of habitat loss Conservation Letters Anthropocene biodiversity extinction insect declines monitoring |
| title | Missing the bigger picture: Why insect monitoring programs are limited in their ability to document the effects of habitat loss |
| title_full | Missing the bigger picture: Why insect monitoring programs are limited in their ability to document the effects of habitat loss |
| title_fullStr | Missing the bigger picture: Why insect monitoring programs are limited in their ability to document the effects of habitat loss |
| title_full_unstemmed | Missing the bigger picture: Why insect monitoring programs are limited in their ability to document the effects of habitat loss |
| title_short | Missing the bigger picture: Why insect monitoring programs are limited in their ability to document the effects of habitat loss |
| title_sort | missing the bigger picture why insect monitoring programs are limited in their ability to document the effects of habitat loss |
| topic | Anthropocene biodiversity extinction insect declines monitoring |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12951 |
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