A team of ecologists from The University of Hong Kong (HKU) are leading an international initiative to investigate the decline of insect populations in the world’s tropical forests.
A team of ecologists from The University of Hong Kong (HKU) are leading an international initiative to investigate the decline of insect populations in the world’s tropical forests. Insects, the most abundant and diverse group of animals on Earth, are experiencing alarming declines, prompting this research effort. The team’s work has earned them an invitation to lead a review on the topic for Nature Reviews Biodiversity, a new journal from the high-impact Nature Portfolio, showcasing HKU’s status as a global centre of excellence for tropical ecology and conservation.
The research was led by Dr Michael BOYLE and Professor Louise ASHTON from the HKU School of Biological Sciences, with contributions from Dr Adam SHARP, Dr Martha LEDGER, Dr Michel DONGMO and Professor Timothy BONEBRAKE from the same school. This collaborative effort spans continents, involving scientists from South America, Asia, Africa, Australia and Europe. It exemplifies how innovative insights into some of the most pressing current issues can arise from global scientific partnerships.
Understanding the Status of Tropical Insects in a Changing World
Insects play a crucial role in the functioning of ecosystems, but alarmingly, they may be facing declines globally. While most knowledge on this issue comes from studies conducted in Europe, most insect species inhabit in tropical rainforests, where understanding remains surprisingly limited. In tropical regions, insects face numerous threats, including urbanisation, habitat loss and fragmentation, and pollution from agriculture and urban areas. The team notes that insects on tropical islands are particularly vulnerable to invasive species, with many unique species already extinct due to this threat. More broadly, climate change poses a significant threat to insect populations across the tropics, not just through rising temperatures but through disruptions to crucial weather cycles such as El Niño and La Niña.
Read more at The University of Hong Kong
Image: Broad-nosed weevil beetle at Danum Valley Conservation Area, Borneo. (Photo courtesy: Marco Chan)
