Air pollution particles may be cause of dramatic drop in global insect numbers

Study Shows Air Pollution Reduces Insects’ Ability to Find Food and Mates

Researchers from the University of Melbourne, Beijing Forestry University, and the University of California Davis have discovered that air pollution can significantly impact an insect’s ability to find food and mates. The study, published in Nature Communications, highlights the potential risk to insect populations and emphasizes the importance of addressing air pollution to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Impact on Insect Populations

Professor Mark Elgar from the University of Melbourne, who co-authored the paper, explains that while it is known that particulate matter exposure can affect the health of organisms, including insects, their research shows that it also reduces insects’ crucial ability to detect odors for finding food and mates. This could lead to declining populations, even in habitats far from the pollution source.

Insects play a critical role in pollinating plants, including crops that are essential for food production, as well as breaking down decaying material and recycling nutrients. Therefore, the decline in insect populations due to air pollution can have far-reaching consequences for ecosystems and human well-being.

Experimental Findings

The research team conducted several experiments to investigate the impact of air pollution on insects:

1. Using a scanning electron microscope, they observed that as air pollution increases, more particulate material accumulates on the sensitive antennae of houseflies. This material can include toxic heavy metals and organic substances from various sources of air pollution.
2. They exposed houseflies to varying levels of air pollution in Beijing for 12 hours and then placed them in a Y-shaped tube maze. Uncontaminated flies typically chose the arm of the maze leading to a smell of food or sex pheromones, while contaminated flies selected an arm at random.
3. Neural tests confirmed that antenna contamination significantly reduced the strength of odour-related electrical signals sent to the flies’ brains, compromising their capacity to detect odors.

Furthermore, ongoing research in bushfire-affected areas in rural Victoria has shown that smoke particles contaminate the antennae of diverse insects, including bees, wasps, moths, and species of flies, even at considerable distances from the fire front.

Implications for Insect Survival

Insect antennae have olfactory receptors that detect odor molecules from food sources, potential mates, or suitable places for laying eggs. When these antennae are covered in particulate matter, a physical barrier is created that prevents contact between the smell receptors and airborne odor molecules.

Professor Elgar explains that when insects’ antennae become clogged with pollution particles, they struggle to smell food, mates, or suitable places for reproduction. This ultimately leads to a decline in their populations.

Addressing Air Pollution for Sustainable Development

The study highlights the urgent need to address air pollution to protect insect populations and achieve the SDGs. Approximately 40% of Earth’s landmass is exposed to particle air pollution concentrations above the World Health Organization’s recommended annual average. This includes remote and ecologically significant habitats, as particulate material can be transported over long distances by air currents.

By reducing air pollution and improving air quality, we can safeguard insect populations and ensure the preservation of ecosystems and the services they provide. This aligns with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 15 (Life on Land), among others.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 15: Life on Land

The article discusses the impact of air pollution on insect populations and their ability to find food and mates. This connects to SDG 3, which aims to ensure good health and well-being for all. It also relates to SDG 11, which focuses on creating sustainable cities and communities by reducing pollution. Additionally, the article mentions the role of insects in pollinating plants and recycling nutrients, aligning with SDG 15’s goal of protecting life on land.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
• SDG 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
• SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
• SDG 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.

The article highlights the negative impact of air pollution on insects’ health and well-being, supporting SDG 3.9. It also emphasizes the importance of addressing air quality, aligning with SDG 11.6. The mention of bushfires and their effects on insect populations relates to the need for climate change measures, as stated in SDG 13.2. Lastly, the article emphasizes the role of insects in maintaining biodiversity and protecting threatened species, supporting SDG 15.5.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 3.9: Number of deaths and illnesses attributed to hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
• Indicator for SDG 11.6: Ambient air pollution levels in cities.
• Indicator for SDG 13.2: Integration of climate change measures into national policies and strategies.
• Indicator for SDG 15.5: Extent of degradation of natural habitats and loss of biodiversity.

The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators, but it implies the need to measure the number of deaths and illnesses caused by air pollution (SDG 3.9). It also suggests monitoring ambient air pollution levels in cities (SDG 11.6) and assessing the integration of climate change measures into national policies (SDG 13.2). Additionally, measuring the extent of degradation of natural habitats and loss of biodiversity would be relevant to monitor progress towards SDG 15.5.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: sciencedaily.com

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