Insect numbers have decreased by half in some parts of the world due to climate change an intensive agriculture, a study has found. The combined pressures of global heating and farming are driving a “substantial (大规模的) decline” of insects across the globe, according to UK researchers.

Lead researcher, Dr Charlie Outhwaite of UCL, said losing insect populations could be harmful not only to the natural environment, but to human health and food security, particularly with losses of pollinator (传粉昆虫). “Our findings highlight the urgency of actions to preserve natural habitats, slow the expansion of high-intensity agriculture, and cut emissions to reduce climate change,” she added.

In the latest study, the researchers pulled together data on the range and number of nearly 20, 000 insect species, including bees, ants, butterflies, grasshoppers and dragonflies, at about 6, 000 different locations. In areas with high-intensity agriculture and substantial warming, insect numbers have decreased by 49%, compared with relatively untouched places that have so far avoided the most severe impacts of climate change, according to the research published in Nature.

But the researchers said there was some cause for hope. Setting aside areas of land for nature creates a refuge(庇护所) for insects, which need shade to survive in hot weather. “Careful management of agricultural areas, such as preserving natural habitats near farmland, may help to ensure that vital insects can still survive,” said Dr Tim Newbold, also of UCL.

Study researcher, Peter McCann, added, “We need to acknowledge how important insects are for the environment as a whole, and for human health and well-being, in order to address the threats we pose to them before many species are lost forever. ”

Eastern barred bandicoots (袋狸) once were a common sight in the plains of western Victoria and into South Australia. But by the 1980s, just one population of between 150 and 200 bandicoots survived.

In 1988, the Victoria state government formed a recovery team that brought together government agencies, Zoos Victoria, volunteer groups and other people. That year, scientists removed 40 bandicoots from this population to form a captive breeding (圈养繁殖) program. Soon after, eastern barred bandicoots disappeared from the wild in Victoria. The only remaining breeding population existed in small pens at Woodlands Historic Park. “Without the captive program, the species would be extinct.” Scientists say.

Breeding was one thing. Re-establishing wild populations was altogether more difficult. Six times captive-born bandicoots were set free into the wild. All six reintroductions failed when foxes killed the bandicoots.

What changed everything was the reintroduction of bandicoots to Phillip Island in 2017 and French Island in 2019. Fox-free French and Phillip islands offered just over 70 square miles of bandicoot habitat, and the bandicoots have already begun breeding and expanding (扩大) their range across these islands.

After scientists had established populations on islands, researchers looked to expand their efforts to open grasslands. In 2015, David Williams began training his Maremma dogs. The idea worked this way: Because bandicoots live alone, the Maremmas would look after sheep in large open grasslands where bandicoots lived. As long as there were sheep in the bandicoots’ territory (领地), the Maremmas remained, and as long as the dogs were around, the foxes were far less likely to remain.

Over the past two years, the recovery team has reintroduced 40 bandicoots into two places in western Victoria, with two to three Maremmas and hundreds of sheep at each site to keep them company. Scientists can’t yet say whether the experiment is working. But some of the bandicoots have bred, and initial camera-trap evidence suggests that foxes, if they pass through the area at all, rarely stay for long.

Everything a girl named Bella needed for her life to change for the better was a dog. But Ceorge is unlike other dogs. He’s a service dog who fills Bella’s days with joy and laughter and helps her regain her independence back.

Bella was suffering a rare metabolic (新陈代谢的) disorder, which leads to short neck , knock knees and hip problems. In Bella’s case, her parents were told that their daughter would eventually need a wheelchair and won’t be able to move on her own.

When the family welcomed George in their lives, he helped Bella walk by providing assistance. A harness (背带) with the words “service dog” is fastened on his back so that people know he isn’t just a pet. He and Bella are now inseparable and he never leaves her side. Bella attended school for only half a day before leaving to play at the home of her friend—Hunter. Because he gets to nap on the couch while Bella plays. George loves going over there.

As a thank-you for his loyalty, Bella wanted to give George something in return. She and her parents then came up with the idea to contact BarkPost, a well-known website that hosts events referred to as “Dog’s Best Days” and give George a day to remember. Among the rest, the two friends got to share a hamburger together and got to walk on snow, something George enjoys. They did a bunch of fun things together and had a lovely day.

Thanks to George, Bella doesn’t need a wheelchair and enjoys the independence her service dog provides to her. “George is joyful and he’s always there to cheer me up. He is my best friend,” Bella says.