Insects ‘Have No Place to Hide’ in the Face of Global Warming

Lady Bird” by Simon Powell licensed under CC BY 2.0

Source: The Guardian

According to a new study published in the journal Global Change Biology, insects are not safe from climate change, even in the woodlands, where shade normally protects against warm weather.

For the study, researchers analyzed 50 years worth of data from the UK, including records of insect migration and egg-laying, and ultimately found that populations of insects are at risk and are changing the time of year at which they lay eggs.

“Under global warming you would expect woodlands to have some protection for insects, a buffer against change. But we didn’t see that. It is the major surprise and is disturbing. There is really no place to hide against the effects of global warming if you are an insect in the UK,” said James Bell of Rothamsted Research institute, who led the study.

Other studies have pointed to declining populations of insects in the face of climate change, and this particular study points to the exact spaces in which insects can no longer rely on for safe haven and growth.

Read Full Story: The Guardian

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