Worldwide insect declines: An important message, but interpret with caution

Benno I. Simmons; Andrew Balmford; Andrew J. Bladon; Alec P. Christie; Adriana De Palma; Lynn V. Dicks; Juan Gallego-Zamorano; Alison Johnston; Philip A. Martin; Andy Purvis; Ricardo Rocha; Hannah S. Wauchope; Claire F. R. Wordley; Thomas A. Worthington; Tom Finch

doi:10.1002/ece3.5153

Worldwide insect declines: An important message, but interpret with caution

Benno I. Simmons, Andrew Balmford, Andrew J. Bladon, Alec P. Christie, Adriana De Palma, Lynn V. Dicks, Juan Gallego-Zamorano, Alison Johnston, Philip A. Martin, Andy Purvis, Ricardo Rocha, Hannah S. Wauchope, Claire F. R. Wordley, Thomas A. Worthington, Tom Finch

Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › peer-review

85 Citations (Scopus)

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Abstract

A recent paper claiming evidence of global insect declines achieved huge media attention, including claims of “insectaggedon” and a “collapse of nature.” Here, we argue that while many insects are declining in many places around the world, the study has important limitations that should be highlighted. We emphasise the robust evidence of large and rapid insect declines present in the literature, while also highlighting the limitations of the original study.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	3678-3680
Number of pages	3
Journal	Ecology and Evolution
Volume	9
Issue number	7
Early online date	5 Apr 2019
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.5153
Publication status	Published - Apr 2019

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10.1002/ece3.5153Licence: CC BY

Published_ManuscriptFinal published version, 252 KBLicence: CC BY

Lynn Dicks
- Lynn.Dicksuea.acuk
- School of Biological Sciences - Honorary Reader
- ClimateUEA - Member
Person: Honorary, Member

Towards 'crop-pollinating' landscapes: quantifying pollen supply and demand to manage wild pollinators for their benefits to food production
Dicks, L. & Bourke, A.
Natural Environment Research Council
1/10/16 → 30/09/21
Project: Fellowship

Cite this

Simmons, B. I., Balmford, A., Bladon, A. J., Christie, A. P., De Palma, A., Dicks, L. V., Gallego-Zamorano, J., Johnston, A., Martin, P. A., Purvis, A., Rocha, R., Wauchope, H. S., Wordley, C. F. R., Worthington, T. A., & Finch, T. (2019). Worldwide insect declines: An important message, but interpret with caution. Ecology and Evolution, 9(7), 3678-3680. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.5153

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title = "Worldwide insect declines: An important message, but interpret with caution",

abstract = "A recent paper claiming evidence of global insect declines achieved huge media attention, including claims of “insectaggedon” and a “collapse of nature.” Here, we argue that while many insects are declining in many places around the world, the study has important limitations that should be highlighted. We emphasise the robust evidence of large and rapid insect declines present in the literature, while also highlighting the limitations of the original study.",

author = "Simmons, {Benno I.} and Andrew Balmford and Bladon, {Andrew J.} and Christie, {Alec P.} and {De Palma}, Adriana and Dicks, {Lynn V.} and Juan Gallego-Zamorano and Alison Johnston and Martin, {Philip A.} and Andy Purvis and Ricardo Rocha and Wauchope, {Hannah S.} and Wordley, {Claire F. R.} and Worthington, {Thomas A.} and Tom Finch",

year = "2019",

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doi = "10.1002/ece3.5153",

language = "English",

volume = "9",

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T1 - Worldwide insect declines: An important message, but interpret with caution

AU - Simmons, Benno I.

AU - Balmford, Andrew

AU - Bladon, Andrew J.

AU - Christie, Alec P.

AU - De Palma, Adriana

AU - Dicks, Lynn V.

AU - Gallego-Zamorano, Juan

AU - Johnston, Alison

AU - Martin, Philip A.

AU - Purvis, Andy

AU - Rocha, Ricardo

AU - Wauchope, Hannah S.

AU - Wordley, Claire F. R.

AU - Worthington, Thomas A.

AU - Finch, Tom

PY - 2019/4

Y1 - 2019/4

N2 - A recent paper claiming evidence of global insect declines achieved huge media attention, including claims of “insectaggedon” and a “collapse of nature.” Here, we argue that while many insects are declining in many places around the world, the study has important limitations that should be highlighted. We emphasise the robust evidence of large and rapid insect declines present in the literature, while also highlighting the limitations of the original study.

AB - A recent paper claiming evidence of global insect declines achieved huge media attention, including claims of “insectaggedon” and a “collapse of nature.” Here, we argue that while many insects are declining in many places around the world, the study has important limitations that should be highlighted. We emphasise the robust evidence of large and rapid insect declines present in the literature, while also highlighting the limitations of the original study.

U2 - 10.1002/ece3.5153

DO - 10.1002/ece3.5153

M3 - Comment/debate

VL - 9

SP - 3678

EP - 3680

JO - Ecology and Evolution

JF - Ecology and Evolution

SN - 2045-7758

IS - 7

ER -

Worldwide insect declines: An important message, but interpret with caution

Abstract

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Profiles

Lynn Dicks

Projects

Towards 'crop-pollinating' landscapes: quantifying pollen supply and demand to manage wild pollinators for their benefits to food production

Cite this