Predicting a global insect apocalypse

The last 3 years have seen a global outbreak of media headlines predicting a global insect apocalypse and a subsequent collapse of natural ecosystems, a so‐called ‘ecological armageddon’ resulting in the demise of human civilisation as we know it. Despite the worrying implications of these papers, all studies on global insect extinction to date clearly reflect the Prestonian shortfall, the general lack of knowledge on the abundance of species and their trends in space and time. Data currently available concerning global insect abundance trends invariably suffer from phylogenetic, functional, habitat, spatial and temporal bias. Here, we suggest that to follow the real global changes in insect (and all other taxa) communities, biases or shortcomings in data collection must be avoided. An optimised scheme would maximise phylogenetic, functional, habitat, spatial and temporal coverage with minimum investment. Standardised sampling would provide primary data, on a first step in the form of abundance and biomass. Individuals would then be identified to species level whenever possible, with a morphospecies approach or genetics serving as intermediate steps, complementing or even final steps for non‐described species. If standardised abundance and ecological data can be readily made available, biodiversity trends can be tracked in real time and allow us to predict and prevent an impending global insect apocalypse

Scientists' warning to humanity on insect extinctions

Here we build on the manifesto ‘World Scientists’ Warning to Humanity, issued by the Alliance of World Scientists. As a group of conservation biologists deeply concerned about the decline of insect populations, we here review what we know about the drivers of insect extinctions, their consequences, and how extinctions can negatively impact humanity. We are causing insect extinctions by driving habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation, use of polluting and harmful substances, the spread of invasive species, global climate change, direct overexploitation, and co-extinction of species dependent on other species. With insect extinctions, we lose much more than species. We lose abundance and biomass of insects, diversity across space and time with consequent homogenization, large parts of the tree of life, unique ecological functions and traits, and fundamental parts of extensive networks of biotic interactions. Such losses lead to the decline of key ecosystem services on which humanity depends. From pollination and decomposition, to being resources for new medicines, habitat quality indication and many others, insects provide essential and irreplaceable services. We appeal for urgent action to close key knowledge gaps and curb insect extinctions. An investment in research programs that generate local, regional and global strategies that counter this trend is essential. Solutions are available and implementable, but urgent action is needed now to match our intentions.Peer reviewe

Scientists warning to humanity on insect extinctions

Here we build on the manifesto 'World Scientists' Warning to Humanity, issued by the Alliance of World Scientists. As a group of conservation biologists deeply concerned about the decline of insect populations, we here review what we know about the drivers of insect extinctions, their consequences, and how extinctions can negatively impact humanity. We are causing insect extinctions by driving habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation, use of polluting and harmful substances, the spread of invasive species, global climate change, direct overexploitation, and co-extinction of species dependent on other species. With insect extinctions, we lose much more than species. We lose abundance and biomass of insects, diversity across space and time with consequent homogenization, large parts of the tree of life, unique ecological functions and traits, and fundamental parts of extensive networks of biotic interactions. Such losses lead to the decline of key ecosystem services on which humanity depends. From pollination and decomposition, to being resources for new medicines, habitat quality indication and many others, insects provide essential and irreplaceable services. We appeal for urgent action to close key knowledge gaps and curb insect extinctions. An investment in researc

Current Unrestricted Operating Budgets, Fiscal Year 2013

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Current Unrestricted Operating Budgets, Fiscal Year 2016

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Current Unrestricted Operating Budgets, Fiscal Year 2015

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Current Unrestricted Operating Budgets, Fiscal Year 2014

The unrestricted operating budget of the University of Montana, issued by the Office of University Planning, Budgeting and Analysis under the Office of Administration and Finance.https://scholarworks.umt.edu/budget_book/1011/thumbnail.jp

Metodické problémy při analýzách úbytku hmyzu

In recent years, several studies reporting a severe decline of insect populations across several continents turned the spotlight on the problem of insect decline. However, the reported declining parameters may vary, and it is necessary to differentiate between declines in biomass, abundance, diversity, or geographical range reduction. This thesis aims to summarize how the conclusions about insect decline are shaped by the methods researchers use, especially by the variables they measure, emphasizing the potential methodological issues and limitations of the various facets of insect decline. Furthermore, we offer a brief digest of the most relevant potential biases and interpretative risks threatening population monitoring surveys. The review also provides concise insight into the state of knowledge on the matter of insect population trends. Keywords: insects, insect decline, insect population trends, methodology, methodological issuesV posledních letech se dostalo značné pozornosti studiím, které přinesly svědectví o významném úbytku hmyzu. Ve skutečnosti se však parametry, které tyto studie měřily a o jejichž poklesu informovaly, mnohdy liší. Je nutné rozlišovat závěry o snížení biomasy, abundance, diverzity anebo zmenšení geografického rozšíření. Tato práce shrnuje, jak jsou naše poznatky o úbytku hmyzu ovlivněny použitými metodami, především tím, jaké parametry jsou měřeny. Důraz je kladen na možné metodologické problémy a omezení, na něž naráží různé aspekty úbytku hmyzu. Dále práce nabízí stručný přehled těch nejzásadnějších systematických chyb a interpretačních překážek, které provázejí studium hmyzích populací. V neposlední řadě nabízíme i přehledové shrnutí současného stavu poznání hmyzích populačních trendů. Klíčová slova: hmyz, úbytek hmyzu, populační trendy hmyzu, metodologie, metodologické problémyDepartment of EcologyKatedra ekologieFaculty of SciencePřírodovědecká fakult