A new report shows that insects are going extinct in Germany. The decline in the insect population is so bad and dramatic, that it is being called the insect apocalypse. This so-called insect apocalypse is thought to be so bad, that the decline in the insect population - at least in Germany - is thought to be one of the worst extinction events since the dinosaurs became extinct over 66 million years ago. This extinction that we are going through, is called the ‘Sixth Mass Extinction.’
The Sixth Mass Extinction, is the Earth’s sixth extinction event., and we are currently living through it. Prior to that, the Earth has gone through five extinction events; all of these five extinction events have led to there being mass extinctions of species. The last mass extinction event, before the Sixth Mass Extinction, was the most infamous mass extinction event which everyone is aware of: the extinction of the dinosaurs. The extinction of the dinosaurs is known as the ‘Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event.’
Our extinction event - the Sixth Mass Extinction - is known as the ‘Holocene Extinction event’. The Holocene Extinction event includes the decline in the insect population, the possible extinction of the insect population, and the decline and extinction of all animal and plant species on the Earth today. It is an event which threatens life as we know it. The Sixth Mass Extinction is causing animals to disappear from this world at an alarming rate, due to human activity.
The decline in the insect population is also most likely caused by humans. This is because, the decline in the insect population is most likely down to a few things: human created climate change, the destruction of habitats and ecosystems, and our use of things like pesticides, which kill of insects. A collection of these things, is most likely causing the decline in the insect population.
The Decline In The Insect Population And Ecosystems
What the decline in the insect population shows us, is that our ecosystems aren’t healthy. Ecosystems, such as forests, rely on insects for their health and survival, without insects, these ecosystems will become unhealthy and they are in danger of collapsing. All life in ecosystems such as forests, rely on insects.
If there are no insects, then most birds will vanish.
If there is a decline in the insect population, the things like flowers and plants will start vanishing, which means that animals like mice, rabbits and deer will start going extinct. Once non-predatory animals start going extinct - like rabbits and mice - this will start to hurt predatory animals, like birds of prey and foxes, which will then start to cause the extinction of predatory animals. Essentially, the decline in the insect population does not only threaten the survival of insects; the decline in the insect population also threatens the survival of all wild animals.
If the decline in insects leads to an extinction of insects, then we would be looking at the extinction of all, if not most, land animals on Earth. That is how worrying the decline in the insect population is. And therefore, that is how serious decline in the insect population is. The whole natural world is threatened by the decline in the insect population. And so are we. We are also threatened with the decline in the insect population. This is because insects are important to us; they pollinate most of our food. Therefore, if these animals become extinct, then most of our food supply will also go extinct with it. Like other animals, we depend on insects for our survival. The Insect Population Decline In Germany
The insect population decline in Germany is particularly alarming. In 2017, it was reported that in 63 protected areas across the country, there was a 75% decline in the insect population. It has to be asked, and wondered that ‘If this is the sort of decline in protected areas across Germany, then what is the situation like for insects in areas which are not protected?’
When this country is experiencing such a massive decline in the insect population in areas which are there to protect wildlife, then how much worse is it in areas where wildlife is not protected? When areas where wildlife is supposed to be protected start seeing such dramatic declines, then it should cause us alarm.
The decline in the insect population in Germany has now being going on for years now in Germany; several reports show.
One explanation to the decline in insect population across Germany, is because these protected sites are near agricultural land, where pesticides are used - something which is most likely causing these insects to disappear. But it might not explain the whole picture...as the decline in the insect population is happening globally.
The Decline In The Insect Population Globally
Germany has been one of the countries in the world which has stood out, when concerning the decline of the insect population.
But they aren’t alone.
In February this year, there was a report by scientists that said that the decline in the insect population, threatens the collapse of nature.
Around the world, there have been many reports of a decline in the insect population. Many different reports from across the world shows that there is a decline in the insect population. This decline in the insect population, is not restricted to just one country, but a situation which seems to be a global event. For example, this year, the Netherlands reported that there has been an 84% decline in butterflies in the country since 1890. Another report this year, this time from Switzerland, showed that 60% of insects where in decline in the country and 60% were now at risk of extinction in the country.
Another study this year showed that there was a decline in the insect population in both the United States of America and Europe. The study found that 40% of the insect population across the world are at risk of extinction in just the next few decades. While another study showed that the declining insect population threatened the collapse of nature in just a few decades.
What all studies show this year, is that there is a decline in the insect population, and it is something which is happening at a global level.
Sources:
https://news.mongabay.com/2019/06/the-great-insect-dying-vanishing-act-in-europe-and-north-america/
https://phys.org/news/2019-07-insect-apocalypse-german-bug-watchers.html
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/feb/10/plummeting-insect-numbers-threaten-collapse-of-nature