Latest news with #UKCentreforEcology&Hydrology
Agriland
a day ago
- Science
- Agriland
Global phosphorous summit planned for Ghana
A global phosphorous summit is planned for Ghana next month (September 2025) as fears grow for the sustainable use of this key plant nutrient, particularly in Africa. The upcoming event will see scientists, policymakers and industry leaders from around the world meet to address the urgent need for sustainable phosphorus management. Phosphorus, a key component of fertiliser essential for crop and animal production, is now recognised as both a critical finite resource and a pollutant threatening aquatic ecosystems. With global demand rising and environmental concerns mounting, experts say coordinated global action is needed to avoid a crisis that could jeopardise food security and water quality worldwide. The 8th Sustainable Phosphorus Summit (SPS8), being held in Accra, is jointly organised by Lancaster University, the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH), Rothamsted Research, the Council for Scientific Research in Ghana, and the Forum for Agricultural Research Africa. It marks the first time the global conference has been hosted in Africa - a region where phosphorus use remains far below optimal levels, despite growing agricultural needs. Phosphorus use in African agriculture is generally sub-optimal and has declined sharply since the late 20th century. Experts warn that without urgent investment and innovation, the region's food production could falter under the twin pressures of population growth and climate change. While examples of sustainable phosphorus measures in Africa exist, including monitoring of water resources and recycling of biomass waste, these are often implemented only at pilot scale. Nevertheless, increasing fertiliser accessibility and optimising application remains a key priority to ensure improvements in farmer livelihoods and food security in the region. However, options for many African farmers are limited. While repeated use of cattle manure can contribute to recycling phosphorus to soil, this is not always practical for most smallholder farmers to achieve due to low numbers of livestock. The use of phosphate rock has been proposed as an alternative and is gaining momentum in Africa where the acidity of soils helps dissolve the phosphate. However, phosphorus can interact with other micronutrients which can be sparse in some of the continent's soils. For instance, it can affect zinc uptake in plants and subsequent dietary intake in humans, especially in communities reliant on plant-based diets. There is a need, therefore, for balanced phosphorus fertiliser application and increased recognition of its potential interactions with other essential nutrients. Meanwhile, inefficient phosphorus use elsewhere, particularly in high-income countries, has led to widespread pollution of rivers, lakes, and coastal waters, fuelling toxic algal blooms that threaten biodiversity and human health. Although current reserves of phosphorus are not at immediate risk of depletion, the uneven global distribution of phosphorus-rich rocks, coupled with rising demand for the mineral in lithium battery production and other industries, adds to concerns about long-term security and sustainability.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists uncover massive collateral damage tied to a routine practice: 'A necessary evil'
For decades, scientists have known that pesticide use negatively impacts many species, including humans, and ecosystems. But new research has found that not only do pesticides harm some species — they harm nearly all of them. The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, was conducted by international research teams from the United Kingdom and China. It was one of the largest studies on the broad impacts of pesticide use to date. "Our study provides an unparalleled insight into the consequences of pesticide use on the natural environment globally," co-author Ben Woodcock said in a news release from the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, per After analyzing over 1,700 existing studies of agricultural, commercial, and domestic pesticide use, researchers found that the negative effects were "overwhelming," "wide-ranging," and pervasive across hundreds of species, per the report. These negative effects included impacts on reproductive processes, individual growth, hunting and foraging abilities, metabolism, mating behaviors, and more. In many cases, the use of pesticides leads to premature death and population loss. "It is often assumed that pesticides are toxic primarily to the target pest and closely related organisms, but this is clearly not true," Dave Goulson, another researcher, explained. "Concerningly, we found pervasive negative impacts across plants, animals, fungi and microbes, threatening the integrity of ecosystems." It's clear that widespread pesticide use is a major contributor to the loss of biodiversity around the world. And while this may sound like a vague, undefined issue, it has concrete effects. As the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, part of the American Museum of Natural History, puts it, biodiversity provides fundamental resources for humans, including food, shelter, fuel, and medicine. "Further, ecosystems provide crucial services such as pollination, seed dispersal, climate regulation, water purification, nutrient cycling, and control of agricultural pests," it states. Yet pesticides are still used, as Woodcock said, because our modern agricultural systems would fail without them. "Pesticides are a necessary evil, without which global food production and farmers' livelihoods would likely collapse," he said. "However, our findings highlight the need for policies and practices to reduce their use." Do you worry about pesticides in your food? All the time Sometimes Not really I only eat organic Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. While some pesticides will continue being used, researchers recommended limiting their application as much as possible. This is already being done in many parts of the world; for example, over 10% of agricultural land in the European Union is free from synthetic pesticides. And scientists encouraged farmers to adopt a surprisingly simple technique instead of spraying toxic chemical treatments: planting wildflowers. These support species that naturally eat pests, such as ladybugs and beetles. Similarly, wildlife-friendly landscaping can attract other natural predators, including frogs, birds, and hedgehogs. And Woodcock said that there was "a lot of scope in the future" for incorporating technology into future solutions, such as using artificial intelligence to monitor pests with cameras or developing highly accurate application techniques to avoid unnecessary contamination. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
We know next to nothing about 99 per cent of the world's insects: Here's why that's a problem
Despite our outsized impact on the planet, humans are not the dominant species. For every person on Earth, there are approximately 1.4 billion insects. All together, they would weigh 70 times more than the total human population. While insects are by far the most numerous and widespread class in the animal kingdom, woefully little is known about them. Since they're essential to food production, the regularly reported decline in key species is a cause of concern. But does it really spell 'insectageddon'? According to a study led by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) and ZSL (Zoological Society of London), we just don't know. According to the study, there are about a million known insect species around the world. Of these, just 12,100 species have been assessed under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Of those that have been assessed, 20 per cent are considered threatened. But given that less than one per cent of the species have been assessed, the study rightfully asks, 'What about the other 99 per cent?' Little monitoring of insect species goes on outside of North America and Europe. In fact, the researchers say there is very little known about insects in parts of Asia and South America, and virtually no data at all for species in Africa. This week, the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme revealed that 2024 was one of the worst years on record for butterflies. It's a similar story across Europe and North America. Dragonflies and bees are also well-studied in these regions. Of the dragonfly family, 16 per cent are thought to be at risk of extinction. Studies have shown a loss of 60 per cent of the bee population since the 1990s. But these are not the only pollinators in our environment, nor are they the only insects that are useful to our existence. 'There is a lot of interest in monitoring charismatic species such as bees and butterflies,' says Dr Rob Cooke, an ecological modeller at UKCEH and joint lead author of the study. 'But few people care about the supposedly unpleasant insects, even though they too provide benefits for us.' Despite the creepy appearance of the humble earwig, they are excellent at pest control - particularly on fruit trees, where they remove aphids without damaging the fruit. The hated cockroach is incredibly important for soil health and decomposition. Yet, they're among the least well-studied of all insects worldwide. Related 'A momentous day for nature': EU approves first-of-its-kind law that could bring back biodiversity 'Red flag': Bug splats on cars reveal a staggering drop in insect numbers over last 20 years Undoubtedly, many insect species are in decline. Loss of habitat, use of pesticides and declining food sources mean it's tough to be an insect in the modern world. But the authors stress that it's essential to increase our understanding of insect populations and how humans affect them, before it's too late. 'We need to find out whether insect declines are widespread and what's causing them,' says Cooke. 'The challenge is like a giant jigsaw puzzle where there are thousands of missing pieces, but we do not have decades to wait to fill these gaps and then act.' The study authors have proposed a new framework for establishing how different drivers impact local species. Through combining multiple data sources, they hope to build up a better picture of the state of global insect health, despite the gaps in the available data. 'With a million described species, it would take too long to figure out what works best for each species,' explains Dr Charlotte Outhwaite of ZSL's Institute of Zoology, joint lead author of the study. 'Instead, we want to find large-scale actions that benefit the most insects. For this, we need to use all the available information we have.' The next step is to begin testing this approach, using a range of research methods to model how different insect species respond to various threats. Extrapolating from their findings will help develop an understanding of the current health of the world's insect population.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
We know next to nothing about 99 per cent of the world's insects: Here's why that's a problem
Despite our outsized impact on the planet, humans are not the dominant species. For every person on Earth, there are approximately 1.4 billion insects. All together, they would weigh 70 times more than the total human population. While insects are by far the most numerous and widespread class in the animal kingdom, woefully little is known about them. Since they're essential to food production, the regularly reported decline in key species is a cause of concern. But does it really spell 'insectageddon'? According to a study led by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) and ZSL (Zoological Society of London), we just don't know. According to the study, there are about a million known insect species around the world. Of these, just 12,100 species have been assessed under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Of those that have been assessed, 20 per cent are considered threatened. But given that less than one per cent of the species have been assessed, the study rightfully asks, 'What about the other 99 per cent?' Little monitoring of insect species goes on outside of North America and Europe. In fact, the researchers say there is very little known about insects in parts of Asia and South America, and virtually no data at all for species in Africa. This week, the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme revealed that 2024 was one of the worst years on record for butterflies. It's a similar story across Europe and North America. Dragonflies and bees are also well-studied in these regions. Of the dragonfly family, 16 per cent are thought to be at risk of extinction. Studies have shown a loss of 60 per cent of the bee population since the 1990s. But these are not the only pollinators in our environment, nor are they the only insects that are useful to our existence. 'There is a lot of interest in monitoring charismatic species such as bees and butterflies,' says Dr Rob Cooke, an ecological modeller at UKCEH and joint lead author of the study. 'But few people care about the supposedly unpleasant insects, even though they too provide benefits for us.' Despite the creepy appearance of the humble earwig, they are excellent at pest control - particularly on fruit trees, where they remove aphids without damaging the fruit. The hated cockroach is incredibly important for soil health and decomposition. Yet, they're among the least well-studied of all insects worldwide. Related 'A momentous day for nature': EU approves first-of-its-kind law that could bring back biodiversity 'Red flag': Bug splats on cars reveal a staggering drop in insect numbers over last 20 years Undoubtedly, many insect species are in decline. Loss of habitat, use of pesticides and declining food sources mean it's tough to be an insect in the modern world. But the authors stress that it's essential to increase our understanding of insect populations and how humans affect them, before it's too late. 'We need to find out whether insect declines are widespread and what's causing them,' says Cooke. 'The challenge is like a giant jigsaw puzzle where there are thousands of missing pieces, but we do not have decades to wait to fill these gaps and then act.' The study authors have proposed a new framework for establishing how different drivers impact local species. Through combining multiple data sources, they hope to build up a better picture of the state of global insect health, despite the gaps in the available data. 'With a million described species, it would take too long to figure out what works best for each species,' explains Dr Charlotte Outhwaite of ZSL's Institute of Zoology, joint lead author of the study. 'Instead, we want to find large-scale actions that benefit the most insects. For this, we need to use all the available information we have.' The next step is to begin testing this approach, using a range of research methods to model how different insect species respond to various threats. Extrapolating from their findings will help develop an understanding of the current health of the world's insect population.
Euronews
04-04-2025
- Science
- Euronews
We know next to nothing about 99 per cent of the world's insects: Here's why that's a problem
ADVERTISEMENT Despite our outsized impact on the planet, humans are not the dominant species. For every person on Earth, there are approximately 1.4 billion insects. All together, they would weigh 70 times more than the total human population. While insects are by far the most numerous and widespread class in the animal kingdom, woefully little is known about them. Since they're essential to food production , the regularly reported decline in key species is a cause of concern. But does it really spell 'insectageddon'? According to a study led by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) and ZSL (Zoological Society of London), we just don't know. Just 1 per cent of insect species are well understood According to the study, there are about a million known insect species around the world. Of these, just 12,100 species have been assessed under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . Of those that have been assessed, 20 per cent are considered threatened. But given that less than one per cent of the species have been assessed, the study rightfully asks, 'What about the other 99 per cent?' Little monitoring of insect species goes on outside of North America and Europe. In fact, the researchers say there is very little known about insects in parts of Asia and South America, and virtually no data at all for species in Africa. Butterflies, bees and dragonflies steal the limelight This week, the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme revealed that 2024 was one of the worst years on record for butterflies . It's a similar story across Europe and North America. Dragonflies and bees are also well-studied in these regions. Of the dragonfly family, 16 per cent are thought to be at risk of extinction. Studies have shown a loss of 60 per cent of the bee population since the 1990s. But these are not the only pollinators in our environment, nor are they the only insects that are useful to our existence. 'There is a lot of interest in monitoring charismatic species such as bees and butterflies,' says Dr Rob Cooke, an ecological modeller at UKCEH and joint lead author of the study. 'But few people care about the supposedly unpleasant insects, even though they too provide benefits for us.' Despite the creepy appearance of the humble earwig, they are excellent at pest control - particularly on fruit trees, where they remove aphids without damaging the fruit. The hated cockroach is incredibly important for soil health and decomposition. Yet, they're among the least well-studied of all insects worldwide. Related 'A momentous day for nature': EU approves first-of-its-kind law that could bring back biodiversity 'Red flag': Bug splats on cars reveal a staggering drop in insect numbers over last 20 years How will we know which insect species are under threat? Undoubtedly, many insect species are in decline. Loss of habitat, use of pesticides and declining food sources mean it's tough to be an insect in the modern world. But the authors stress that it's essential to increase our understanding of insect populations and how humans affect them, before it's too late. 'We need to find out whether insect declines are widespread and what's causing them,' says Cooke. 'The challenge is like a giant jigsaw puzzle where there are thousands of missing pieces, but we do not have decades to wait to fill these gaps and then act.' The study authors have proposed a new framework for establishing how different drivers impact local species . Through combining multiple data sources, they hope to build up a better picture of the state of global insect health, despite the gaps in the available data. ADVERTISEMENT 'With a million described species, it would take too long to figure out what works best for each species,' explains Dr Charlotte Outhwaite of ZSL's Institute of Zoology, joint lead author of the study. 'Instead, we want to find large-scale actions that benefit the most insects. For this, we need to use all the available information we have.' The next step is to begin testing this approach, using a range of research methods to model how different insect species respond to various threats. Extrapolating from their findings will help develop an understanding of the current health of the world's insect population.
