Moving On from the Insect Apocalypse Narrative: Engaging with Evidence-Based Insect Conservation

By Manu E. Saunders, J. Janes, J. C. O’Hanlon. BioScience, 2019

127 citations recorded by the source corpus.

Recent studies showing temporal changes in local and regional insect populations received exaggerated global media coverage. Confusing and inaccurate science communication on this important issue could have counterproductive effects on public support for insect conservation. The insect apocalypse narrative is fuelled by a limited number of studies that are restricted geographically (predominantly the United Kingdom, Europe, the United States) and taxonomically (predominantly some bees, macrolepidoptera, and ground beetles). Biases in sampling and analytical methods (e.g., categorical versus continuous time series, different diversity metrics) limit the relevance of these studies as evidence of generalized global insect decline. Rather, the value of this research lies in highlighting important areas for priority investment. We summarize research, communication, and policy priorities for evidence-based insect conservation, including key areas of knowledge to increase understanding of insect population dynamics. Importantly, we advocate for a balanced perspective in science communication to better serve both public and scientific interests.

Subfields: Ecological Modeling, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Social Psychology

View Paper: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/d376aefa7ec4e161d1b91c11f2d9b3fecb86e429

How researchers see this paper

The researchers whose trusted networks rank it highest, strongest advocate first. Every researcher gets a different order.

In Ecological Modeling

1. Raphael K. Didham
2. Jörg C Müller
3. Simon R. Leather
4. Manu E. Saunders
5. C. Hassall
6. Y. Basset

In Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

1. Raphael K. Didham
2. Jörg C Müller
3. S. Yanoviak
4. L. Packer
5. Simon R. Leather
6. Manu E. Saunders
7. C. Hassall
8. Myles H. M. Menz

In Social Psychology

1. Jörg C Müller
2. C. Hassall

Citations in the corpus

• Interpreting insect declines: seven challenges and a way forward (2020, background): “…endeavour, with critical re-evaluation of the findings emerging rapidly (e.g. Willig et al., 2019; Cardoso & Leather, 2019; Cardoso et al., 2019; Komonen et al., 2019; Montgomery et al., 2020 Mupepele et al., 2019; Simmons et al., 2019; Thomas et al., 2019; Wagner, 2019; Saunders et al., 2020a).”