Is air pollution responsible for the global decline in insect numbers?
Is air pollution responsible for the global decline in insect numbers ... AirQualityNews
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New Research Shows the Impact of Air Pollution on Insects
New research, conducted by teams from the University of Melbourne, Beijing Forestry University, and the University of California Davis, has revealed that particulate matter in the air can affect an insect’s ability to find food or a mate. Shockingly, it may only take 12 hours of exposure to high levels of air pollution for this damage to occur.
The study acknowledges that previous research has explored the impact of air pollution on insects. However, there is limited information available regarding the effects of more frequent short-term and lower pollution level exposure events, which occur more commonly under natural conditions.
Reduced Sense of Smell in Insects
The researchers conducted neural tests to determine the impact of contamination on the insects’ antennae. The results showed a significant reduction in the strength of odour-related electrical signals sent to the flies’ brains, indicating a detrimental effect on their sense of smell.
Testing with Houseflies
Houseflies exposed to varying levels of air pollution in Beijing were placed in a Y-shaped tube maze. One arm of the maze emitted a smell of food or sex pheromones. The flies had an equal chance of choosing either arm, with no clear indication of the correct path. However, uncontaminated flies typically headed towards the source of the smell.
Professor Mark Elgar, co-author of the paper, highlighted the potential risk to insect populations: “While we know that particulate matter exposure can affect the health of organisms, including insects, our research shows that it also reduces insects’ crucial ability to detect odours for finding food and mates. This could result in declining populations, including after bushfires and in habitats far from the pollution source. Many insects play a critical role in pollinating plants, including almost all the crops we rely on for food, and breaking down decaying material and recycling nutrients.”
Impact on Insects in Bushfire-Affected Areas
Further research conducted in bushfire-affected areas in Australia has revealed that smoke particles contaminate the antennae of various insects, such as bees, wasps, moths, and flies, even at considerable distances from the fire itself. When their antennae become clogged with pollution particles, insects struggle to smell food, find a mate, or locate a suitable place to lay their eggs. Consequently, their populations decline.
Professor Elgar emphasized the widespread nature of particle air pollution: “Approximately 40% of Earth’s landmass is exposed to particle air pollution concentrations above the World Health Organisation’s recommended annual average. This includes many remote and ecologically significant habitats that are considered relatively pristine. Particulate material can be carried thousands of kilometers by air currents.”
The full paper can be accessed here.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. | Indicator: Number of deaths and illnesses attributed to air pollution |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements. | Indicator: Proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 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. | Indicator: Red List Index |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 15: Life on Land
The article discusses the impact of air pollution on insects and highlights the potential risks to insect populations. This is connected to SDG 3, which aims to ensure good health and well-being, as air pollution can lead to illnesses and deaths. Additionally, the article mentions the role of insects in pollinating plants and breaking down decaying material, which relates to SDG 15, which focuses on life on land and the conservation of ecosystems.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
- Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.
- Target 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 potential harm caused by air pollution to insects, which aligns with Target 3.9 of SDG 3. It also emphasizes the importance of conserving ecosystems and protecting biodiversity, which are reflected in Target 15.1 and Target 15.5 of SDG 15.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator: Number of deaths and illnesses attributed to air pollution
- Indicator: Proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas
- Indicator: Red List Index
The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators. However, to measure progress towards Target 3.9 of SDG 3, the number of deaths and illnesses attributed to air pollution can be used as an indicator. For Target 15.1 and Target 15.5 of SDG 15, indicators such as the proportion of important sites for biodiversity covered by protected areas and the Red List Index, which assesses the extinction risk of species, can be used.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. | Indicator: Number of deaths and illnesses attributed to air pollution |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements. | Indicator: Proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 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. | Indicator: Red List Index |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: airqualitynews.com
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