tr.euronews.com
Insect Decline: Data Gap Hinders Accurate Assessment
A new study reveals that while some insect populations, such as bees and butterflies, are declining, it's too early to declare an insect apocalypse due to a significant lack of data on most species, particularly in Asia, Africa and South America.
- What are the most significant threats to insect populations, and how do these threats vary across different regions?
- The limited data on insect populations highlights a critical knowledge gap. While 12,100 of the approximately one million known insect species have been assessed for threat status through IUCN, this only represents a small fraction. The lack of data is particularly pronounced in regions like Asia, South America, and Africa, hindering a comprehensive understanding of the situation.
- What is the current state of global insect populations, and what challenges hinder a complete understanding of their decline?
- Although insect populations are declining, especially in species like bees and butterflies, it's premature to declare a global insect apocalypse. Only 1% of known insect species have been assessed for threat status, with 20% of those assessed deemed threatened.
- What is the proposed framework for a more comprehensive assessment of insect health, and how can this improve conservation efforts?
- The research emphasizes the need for a new assessment framework to analyze how insects are affected locally, combining various data sources to paint a clearer picture of global insect health. This approach aims to identify broad-scale steps beneficial to the majority of insect species, acknowledging the time required to evaluate each species individually.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing emphasizes the uncertainty and lack of data concerning insect decline. While highlighting the alarming decline in some well-studied species like butterflies and bees, the overall tone leans towards cautiousness and calls for more research rather than sensationalizing the issue. The headline (if there was one) would significantly influence the framing. For example, a headline like "Insect Apocalypse Imminent" would be alarming, while "Insect Decline: More Research Needed" is more balanced.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral, though terms like 'alarming' and 'endangered' could be considered slightly loaded. However, these terms are used accurately to describe the situation based on the available evidence. More neutral alternatives could include 'concerning' instead of 'alarming' and 'threatened' or 'at risk' instead of 'endangered'.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the lack of data regarding insect populations, particularly outside of North America and Europe. This omission could lead readers to underestimate the global scale of the insect decline problem, focusing instead on the better-studied regions. While the article acknowledges this data gap, it doesn't extensively explore potential biases in the available data or the reasons for the lack of research in certain regions. This omission might inadvertently downplay the severity of the situation in less-studied areas.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights the decline in insect populations globally, impacting biodiversity and ecosystem services. Habitat loss, pesticide use, and reduced food sources are cited as major contributing factors. This directly affects Life on Land, specifically target 15.5 which aims to take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.