Insect Declines in the Anthropocene
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Great Barrington Pollinator Action Plan Connecting Habitat & Community
Great Barrington Pollinator Action Plan Connecting Habitat & Community The Great Barrington Pollinator Action Plan is an educational toolkit for identifying, prioritizing, and implementing pollinator habitat on sites across Great Barrington. While its analyses are specific to the town, its recommendations are broad enough to be used almost anywhere in the northeast United States. Anyone with access to a piece of land or sidewalk strip can use this plan. Through a collaborative effort, reaching across experiences, social strata, and ecosystems, the citizens of Great Barrington hope to establish a thriving, diverse, pollinator-friendly network, and inspire other communities to do so, too. Winter 2018 Evan Abramson • Elan Bills • Renee Ruhl Table of Contents Executive Summary 3 Introduction 4 History & Context 6 Why Pollinators? 9 Environmental Conditions 22 Local Views 31 Opportunities in Great Barrington 33 Considerations in Planning a Pollinator Network 55 Toolkit 58 Resources 78 References 82 body Virginia Fringetree, Chionanthus virginicus (top) and the endangered rusty-patched bumble bee, Bombus affinis (bottom). Photographs courtesy Helen Lowe Metzman and USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab. 2 POLLINATOR ACTION PLAN Executive Summary: Life as We Know It Our responsibility is to species, not to specimens; to commu- Threats are also present: among them, the potential for nities, not to individuals. continued expansion of human development into the intact natural spaces that pollinators need. Pesticide use, —Sara Stein, Noah’s Garden particularly in large scale agriculture, is decimating pol- There is a worldwide phenomenon taking place, and it linator communities. Global climate change has shown to affects every element of life as we know it. -
1 Moving on from the Insect Apocalypse Narrative
Moving on from the insect apocalypse narrative: engaging with evidence-based insect conservation Manu E. Saunders1,2, Jasmine Janes1,3, James O’Hanlon1 1School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England Armidale NSW Australia 2UNE Business School, University of New England Armidale NSW Australia 3Biology Department, Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, BC, Canada This is the author’s version of a manuscript published in BioScience. Please cite as: Saunders ME, Janes J, O’Hanlon J (2019) Moving on from the insect apocalypse narrative: engaging with evidence-based insect conservation. BioScience https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biz143 1 Abstract Recent studies showing temporal changes in local and regional insect populations received exaggerated global media coverage. Confusing and inaccurate science communication on this important issue could have counter-productive effects on public support for insect conservation. The ‘insect apocalypse’ narrative is fuelled by a limited number of studies that are restricted geographically (predominantly UK, Europe, USA) and taxonomically (predominantly bees, macrolepidoptera, and ground beetles). Biases in sampling and analytical methods (e.g. categorical vs. continuous time series, different diversity metrics) limit the relevance of these studies as evidence of generalised global insect decline. Rather, the value of this research lies in highlighting important areas for priority investment. We summarise research, communication and policy priorities for evidence-based insect conservation, including key areas of knowledge to increase understanding of insect population dynamics. Importantly, we advocate for a balanced perspective in science communication to better serve both public and scientific interests. 2 Introduction Insects are the most diverse and abundant group of animals on Earth and are critical drivers of ecosystem function in terrestrial and aquatic systems; yet the majority of insect taxa are understudied, publicly misunderstood and face numerous environmental threats (Samways 2007; Cardoso et al. -
Trends in Insect Biodiversity in a Changing World
University of South Bohemia Faculty of Science Trends in insect biodiversity in a changing world Ph.D. Thesis Olga M. C. C. Ameixa, MSc. Supervisor: Prof. RNDr. Pavel Kindlmann, DrSc. Global Change Research Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences and Charles University, Prague České Budějovice | 2011 Annotation: Ameixa, O.M.C.C.: Trends in insect biodiversity in a changing world. Ph.D. Thesis, in English - 20 p. + appendices 113 p., Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic. In this thesis I investigated various factors that might affect species diversity and the relations between predator/parasitoid and host, using mainly insects as a model group. These factors were agricultural practices, landscape composition, climate change and invasive species. Financial support The research was supported by the grants No. LC06073 and CZ.1.05/1.1.00/02.0073 (Czechglobe) of the MSMT and the grant No. GD206/08/H044 of the GA CR. Declaration – Prohlášení I hereby declare that I worked out this Ph.D. thesis on my own, or in collaboration with the co-authors of the presented papers and manuscript, and only using the cited literature. I declare that in accordance with the Czech legal code § 47b law No. 111/1998 in its valid version, I consent to the publication of my Ph.D. thesis (in an edition made by removing marked parts archived by the Faculty of Science) in an electronic way in the public access to the STAG database run by the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice on its web pages. Further, I agree to the electronic publication of the comments of my supervisor and thesis opponents and the record of the proceedings and results of the thesis defence in accordance with aforementioned Act No. -
Insects of Western North America 4. Survey of Selected Insect Taxa of Fort Sill, Comanche County, Oklahoma 2
Insects of Western North America 4. Survey of Selected Insect Taxa of Fort Sill, Comanche County, Oklahoma 2. Dragonflies (Odonata), Stoneflies (Plecoptera) and selected Moths (Lepidoptera) Contributions of the C.P. Gillette Museum of Arthropod Diversity Colorado State University Survey of Selected Insect Taxa of Fort Sill, Comanche County, Oklahoma 2. Dragonflies (Odonata), Stoneflies (Plecoptera) and selected Moths (Lepidoptera) by Boris C. Kondratieff, Paul A. Opler, Matthew C. Garhart, and Jason P. Schmidt C.P. Gillette Museum of Arthropod Diversity Department of Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523 March 15, 2004 Contributions of the C.P. Gillette Museum of Arthropod Diversity Colorado State University Cover illustration (top to bottom): Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa) [photo ©Robert Behrstock], Stonefly (Perlesta species) [photo © David H. Funk, White- lined Sphinx (Hyles lineata) [photo © Matthew C. Garhart] ISBN 1084-8819 This publication and others in the series may be ordered from the C.P. Gillette Museum of Arthropod Diversity, Department of Bioagricultural Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523 Copyrighted 2004 Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY……………………………………………………………………………….…1 INTRODUCTION…………………………………………..…………………………………………….…3 OBJECTIVE………………………………………………………………………………………….………5 Site Descriptions………………………………………….. METHODS AND MATERIALS…………………………………………………………………………….5 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION………………………………………………………………………..…...11 Dragonflies………………………………………………………………………………….……..11 -
The Anthropocene: Acknowledging the Extent of Global Resource Overshoot , and What We Must Do About It
Research, education, and policy guidance for a better global future. The Anthropocene: Acknowledging the extent of global resource overshoot , and what we must do about it. Research, education, and policy guidance for a better global future. Understanding the balance between human needs and environmental resources Research, education, and policy guidance for a better global future. The Anthropocene Story 3 minute video Reflections on the Anthropocene Story “ … we must find a safe operating space for humanity” “... we must understand resource limits and size ourselves to operate within planetary boundaries” Reflections on the Anthropocene Story “…our creativity, energy, and industry offer hope” Empty words Cognitive and behavioral paradigm shifts would offer ‘guarded’ optimism for the future. A preview of this afternoon’s discussion: 1. Realistic meta-level picture of humanity’s relationship with the planet 2. Talk about that relationship and the conceptual meaning of sustainability 3. Discuss the need for ‘transformative’ change and one approach to achieving future sustainability The Problem Climate change is not the problem. Water shortages, overgrazing, erosion, desertification and the rapid extinction of species are not the problem. Deforestation, Deforestation, reduced cropland productivity, Deforestation, reduced cropland productivity, and the collapse of fisheries are not the problem. Each of these crises, though alarming, is a symptom of a single, over-riding issue. Humanity is simply demanding more than the earth can provide. Climate change Witnessing dysfunctional human behavior Deforestation Desertification Collapse of fisheries Rapid extinction of species Supply = 1 Earth Today’s reality: Global Resource Overshoot How do we know we are - living beyond our resource means? - exceeding global capacity? - experiencing resource overshoot? • Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Released in 2005, the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment was a four-year global effort involving more than 1,300 experts that assessed the condition of and trends in the world’s ecosystems. -
Endemic Biodiversity, Natural Enemies, and the Future of Biological Control
Proceedings of the X International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds 875 4-14 July 1999, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, USA Neal R. Spencer [ed.]. pp. 875-880 (2000) Endemic Biodiversity, Natural Enemies, and the Future of Biological Control ROWAN M. EMBERSON Ecology and Entomology Group, Soil, Plant and Ecological Sciences Division, P.O. Box 84, Lincoln University, New Zealand Abstract In recent public comment on proposed introductions for biological control of weeds in New Zealand, the issues of dilution of endemic biodiversity and homogenization of the fauna, have been raised as a reason for not introducing biological control agents. Although the impact of biological contol agents can be shown to be minimal in this process, the issue of homogenization appears to be gaining currency with government agencies and regulators. The main current causes of homogenization of the fauna and flora in New Zealand, and probably in most other countries, come from the purposeful introduction of plants for horticultural and other purposes, often with minimal assessment of their weed- iness, followed by their subsequent naturalization, and the accidental introductions of insects and other invertebrates. In New Zealand, naturalized alien plant species already outnumber native species and adventive insects are estimated to comprise 13% of the insect fauna. Only about 2.5% of all exotic insects have been introduced for biological control purposes. Up to the present, 20 carefully screened, host specific, species of insects have been established for biological control of weeds. These represent less than 1% of the exotic insect fauna. Recent developments in the regulatory environment outside New Zealand, suggest that the issue of global homogenization of the fauna and flora is also being considered in other jurisdictions, and has the potential to place severe limitations on the practice of classical biological control, even though the contribution of biological con- trol agents to the process is almost negligible in most places. -
Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Washington and Oregon Apple Orchards
HORTICULTURAL ENTOMOLOGY Phenology of Lacanobia subjuncta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Washington and Oregon Apple Orchards MICHAEL D. DOERR, JAY F. BRUNNER, AND VINCENT P. JONES Washington State University Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center, 1100 N. Western Avenue, Wenatchee, WA 98801 J. Econ. Entomol. 98(6): 2100Ð2106 (2005) ABSTRACT The phenology of Lacanobia subjuncta (Grote & Robinson) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) was investigated in 30 apple orchards in central Washington state and northeastern Oregon from 1998 to 2001 (57 total orchard-yr). Adult captures in pheromone-baited traps were Þt to a Weibull distribution to model emergence of the Þrst and second generations. Initial capture of Þrst generation adults was observed at 216.2 Ϯ 2.6 degree-days (DD) (mean Ϯ SEM) from 1 March by using a base temperature of 6.7ЊC. The model predicted that ßight was 5 and 95% complete by 240 and 700 degree-days (DD), respectively. Monitoring of oviposition and hatch was used to establish a protandry plus preoviposition degree-day requirement of 160.0 Ϯ 7.7 DD, as well as to provide data to describe the entire hatch period. Egg hatch was 5 and 95% complete by 395 and 630 DD, respectively. The start of the second ßight was observed at 1217.1 Ϯ 8.3 DD by using an upper threshold for development of 32ЊC and a horizontal cutoff. The model indicated that the second ßight was 5 and 95% complete by 1220 and 1690 DD, respectively. Second generation hatch was 5 and 95% complete by 1440 and 1740 DD, respectively. A discussion of the potential uses of these detailed phenology data in optimizing management strategies is presented. -
Insect Biodiversity at Mangrove Ecosystem
108 Insect Biodiversity At Mangrove Ecosystem Bhagyashree Grampurohit1 and Hemant Karkhanis2 1Department of Environmental Science, K. J. Somaiya College of Science and Commerce, Mumbai Vidyavihar, Mumbai -400077, Ph. +91-022-28575590, Fax +91-022 28575670 2 IInd Floor, Udayachal Primary School, Vikhroli (E). Email: [email protected]; [email protected] Abstract : A lot of attention being paid to the study of biodiversity has led to increasing interest in assessing the diversity of insects because this group dominates terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems and are valuable indicators of the healthof these ecosystems. Presence of insects in the mangrove ecosystem is of importance because they feed, reproduce on plants and help in pollination. Certain level of natural damage caused by pest insects is of ecological significance in mangrove ecosystem. Study of insect biodiversity is useful in managing the forest resources. The study area selected for this research project is a private land owned by Godrej & Boyce Mfg.Co.Ltd located along the Eastern Express Highway at Vikhroli, Mumbai. This land is covered with mangrove forest. Total eleven sites were selected randomly so as to cover maximum area of mangrove forest. At each site, during low tide, different insects were observed and photographed. Photo-essay of these insects was prepared. Diversity index, evenness index and dominance index was calculated. As per the results, Shannon index is 0.4, Simphon’s diversity index is 0.93 and evenness index is 0.1. Species richness index is 1.94. The result shows that the study location being in the industrial area of Mumbai, the insect diversity is less but there is a natural balance of damage and reproduction. -
Bees, Lies and Evidence-Based Policy
WORLD VIEW A personal take on events Bees, lies and evidence-based policy Misinformation forms an inevitable part of public debate, but scientists should always focus on informing the decision-makers, advises Lynn Dicks. aving bees is a fashionable cause. Bees are under pressure from in the UK farming press is that, without them, UK wheat yields could disease and habitat loss, but another insidious threat has come to decline by up to 20%. This is a disingenuous interpretation of an indus- the fore recently. Concern in conservation and scientific circles try-funded report, and the EU is not proposing to ban neonicotinoid Sover a group of agricultural insecticides has now reached the policy use in wheat anyway, because wheat is not a crop attractive to bees. arena. Next week, an expert committee of the European Union (EU) As a scientist involved in this debate, I find this misinformation will vote on a proposed two-year ban on some uses of clothianidin, deeply frustrating. Yet I also see that lies and exaggeration on both thiamethoxam and imidacloprid. These are neonicotinoids, systemic sides are a necessary part of the democratic process to trigger rapid insecticides carried inside plant tissues. Although they protect leaves policy change. It is simply impossible to interest millions of members of and stems from attack by aphids and other pests, they have subtle toxic the public, or the farming press, with carefully reasoned explanations. effects on bees, substantially reducing their foraging efficiency and And politicians respond to public opinion much more readily than ability to raise young. -
“Anthropocene” Epoch: Scientific Decision Or Political Statement?
The “Anthropocene” epoch: Scientific decision or political statement? Stanley C. Finney*, Dept. of Geological Sciences, California Official recognition of the concept would invite State University at Long Beach, Long Beach, California 90277, cross-disciplinary science. And it would encourage a mindset USA; and Lucy E. Edwards**, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, that will be important not only to fully understand the Virginia 20192, USA transformation now occurring but to take action to control it. … Humans may yet ensure that these early years of the ABSTRACT Anthropocene are a geological glitch and not just a prelude The proposal for the “Anthropocene” epoch as a formal unit of to a far more severe disruption. But the first step is to recognize, the geologic time scale has received extensive attention in scien- as the term Anthropocene invites us to do, that we are tific and public media. However, most articles on the in the driver’s seat. (Nature, 2011, p. 254) Anthropocene misrepresent the nature of the units of the International Chronostratigraphic Chart, which is produced by That editorial, as with most articles on the Anthropocene, did the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS) and serves as not consider the mission of the International Commission on the basis for the geologic time scale. The stratigraphic record of Stratigraphy (ICS), nor did it present an understanding of the the Anthropocene is minimal, especially with its recently nature of the units of the International Chronostratigraphic Chart proposed beginning in 1945; it is that of a human lifespan, and on which the units of the geologic time scale are based. -
Golden Spikes, Transitions, Boundary Objects, and Anthropogenic Seascapes
sustainability Article A Meaningful Anthropocene?: Golden Spikes, Transitions, Boundary Objects, and Anthropogenic Seascapes Todd J. Braje * and Matthew Lauer Department of Anthropology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 27 June 2020; Accepted: 7 August 2020; Published: 11 August 2020 Abstract: As the number of academic manuscripts explicitly referencing the Anthropocene increases, a theme that seems to tie them all together is the general lack of continuity on how we should define the Anthropocene. In an attempt to formalize the concept, the Anthropocene Working Group (AWG) is working to identify, in the stratigraphic record, a Global Stratigraphic Section and Point (GSSP) or golden spike for a mid-twentieth century Anthropocene starting point. Rather than clarifying our understanding of the Anthropocene, we argue that the AWG’s effort to provide an authoritative definition undermines the original intent of the concept, as a call-to-arms for future sustainable management of local, regional, and global environments, and weakens the concept’s capacity to fundamentally reconfigure the established boundaries between the social and natural sciences. To sustain the creative and productive power of the Anthropocene concept, we argue that it is best understood as a “boundary object,” where it can be adaptable enough to incorporate multiple viewpoints, but robust enough to be meaningful within different disciplines. Here, we provide two examples from our work on the deep history of anthropogenic seascapes, which demonstrate the power of the Anthropocene to stimulate new thinking about the entanglement of humans and non-humans, and for building interdisciplinary solutions to modern environmental issues. -
Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Hadeninae) Species of Iran
Turk J Zool 2012; 36(6): 752-758 © TÜBİTAK Research Article doi:10.3906/zoo-1111-15 A survey of the Perigrapha Lederer (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Hadeninae) species of Iran Asghar SHIRVANI1,*, Mohammad Ali SHOGHALI2, Shamsi FEIZPOOR3 1Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, 76169-133 Kerman – IRAN 2No. 51, 24 Azar Street, Kerman – IRAN 3Young Researchers Society, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman – IRAN Received: 14.11.2011 ● Accepted: 25.03.2012 Abstract: Four species of the genus Perigrapha Lederer are reviewed in Iran. Two species, P. annau Varga & Ronkay, 1991 and P. fl ora Hreblay, 1996, are reported for the fi rst time from the fauna of Iran. Adult and genitalia images are illustrated and identifi cation keys for the external and genital features are given. Key words: Perigrapha, Iran, new records, identifi cation key Introduction large-scale variation in morphological features and Th e tribe Orthosiini Guenée, 1837, with 7 genera relegated them as members of 3 genera, Anorthoa, (Panolis Hübner, [1821], Dioszeghyana Hreblay, Harutaeographa, and Perigrapha. 1993, Orthosia Ochsenheimer, 1816, Anorthoa Berio, Perigrapha, a Holarctic genus belonging to the 1980, Harutaeographa Yoshimoto, 1993, Perigrapha perigraphoid generic complex with hairy eyes typical Lederer, 1857, and Egira Duponchel, 1845), is for the subfamily Hadeninae (sensu Hampson), represented by early-fl ying, univoltine species that comprises 3 subgenera, Opacographa Hreblay, 1996, prefer mountainous and semimountainous regions Rororthosia Beck, 1999, and Perigrapha Lederer, in Iran. Th e classifi cation and taxonomic rank of 1857. Th is genus is represented in Europe by the species groups within this tribe has been a matter last 2 subgenera and 4 species (Ronkay et al., 2001).