A new scientific study has found sharp declines in insect populations in some areas in Germany, which researchers say could have far-reaching consequences for the world’s crop production and natural ecosystems.
The long-term study was carried out in 63 German nature protection areas over the course of 27 years. According to the study, flying insect populations in German nature reserves have declined by more than 75% over the last 27 years.
Tanya Latty, a researcher at Sydney University, says the decline is particularly worrying. “If you see these sorts of rapid declines in protected areas, it makes me worry that this (trend) could be everywhere,” she said. “There’s no reason to think this isn’t happening everywhere.”
“It’s unlikely that there’s one smoking gun that is responsible for insect decline. Climate change, loss of insect habitats and the use of pesticides have been suggested as potential causes,” says Latty.
Latty says insects, which make up around 70% of all animal species, are indeed important. “It is the insects that keep the world running. Some 80%of wild plants rely on insects for pollination (授粉); 60%of birds rely on insects as a food source. Insects are vital to biodiversity (生物多样性), and we exist because of biodiversity. They’re even vital to waste control-most of the waste in urban areas is taken care of by ants and cockroaches.”
Latty says she hopes the decline can be stopped. “The first step is acknowledging that we have a problem, and working to correct that.” She says we also need to improve people’s education about insect populations—“that insects are important, absolutely vital to our survival”.
【小题1】What has been found in the scientific study?| A．Lots of insects have died as a result of human activities. |
| B．Many insects have died out before we can even name them. |
| C．The decline of flying insect populations is happening everywhere. |
| D．There has been a sharp decline in insect populations in German nature reserves. |
| A．Insect decline might have far-reaching consequences. |
| B．A combination of factors leads to the insect decline. |
| C．It is not easy to work out what has resulted in the insect decline. |
| D．Climate change is to blame for the decline of insect populations. |
| A．They help make the world cleaner. | B．They provide food for human beings. |
| C．They contribute to climate change. | D．They allow farmers to develop new farming methods. |
| A．To stop people from hunting insects. | B．To set up more nature reserves for insects. |
| C．To convince people of the importance of insects. | D．To protect insect habitats from being destroyed. |
