A team of scientists from The University of Hong Kong is leading an international initiative to investigate the alarming decline of insect populations in tropical forests. Insects, the most abundant and diverse group of animals on Earth, are facing unprecedented threats in their natural habitats. This research effort, led by Dr. Michael Boyle and Professor Louise Ashton, aims to shed light on the status of tropical insects and the potential consequences of their decline.

Tropical rainforests, home to a staggering 75% of the world’s insect species, are under siege from urbanization, habitat loss, pollution, and climate change. Invasive species have decimated many unique island ecosystems, while rising temperatures and altered weather patterns disrupt crucial ecological processes. The scientists warn that these declines may have far-reaching consequences for ecosystem functioning, including changes in carbon cycling, pest outbreaks, and the spread of insect-vectored diseases.

Despite the relative lack of data from tropical forests, the researchers emphasize that recent advances in artificial intelligence and genetic methods are beginning to address these challenges. Over the past three years, the team has conducted extensive field research across tropical Australia and Asia, revisiting forests where insect studies were previously undertaken.

The ongoing research involves collecting ants, moths, beetles, and butterflies using specialized traps to assess how climate change has re-wired these populations over the last two decades. Similar studies are being carried out in Yunnan, China, and Daintree, Australia, including the use of tower cranes to collect insects from the rainforest canopy.

The team plans to study the ecological roles and functions of insect species to understand how changing populations will impact tropical forest ecosystems. They suspect that the important processes provided by beneficial insects, including regulating forest growth through herbivory and nutrient cycling, are dwindling over time.

“This review and our related projects highlight the issue of declining insect biodiversity in the tropics,” said Professor Louise Ashton. “We need more research, conservation efforts, and policy interventions to maintain tropical biodiversity and ensure the long-term health of these vital ecosystems.”

As we reflect on the grand tale of life on Earth, one of the most pivotal events in history was the mass extinction that wiped out the dinosaurs. However, a new study published in the journal Palaeontology reveals that many mammals were already adapting to life on land several million years before this catastrophic event.

Led by researchers at the University of Bristol, the team analyzed small fossilized bone fragments from marsupial and placental mammals found in Western North America. This region boasts an exceptional terrestrial fossil record from the time period in question. By examining end limb bones, which bear signatures of locomotory habit that can be statistically compared with modern mammals, the researchers uncovered evidence that these ancient creatures were shifting toward a more ground-based lifestyle.

“We already knew that plant life changed toward the end of the Cretaceous, with flowering plants creating more diverse habitats on the ground,” said lead author Professor Christine Janis from the University of Bristol’s School of Earth Sciences. “What had not been documented was whether mammals were becoming more terrestrial in line with these habitat changes.”

This research is significant because it uses small bone elements to track changes within an entire community, rather than relying on complete skeletons like previous studies. The team analyzed data from museum collections in New York, California, and Calgary to examine the tiny fossils.

The vegetational habitat was found to be a crucial factor in Cretaceous mammalian evolution, surpassing any influence from dinosaurs. Professor Janis noted that “we’ve known for a long time that mammalian long bone articular surfaces can carry good information about their mode of locomotion,” but this study is the first to use such small bone elements to study change within a community.

While this research marks the end of the project, it offers new insights into how prehistoric mammals responded to changing environments – a few million years before the asteroid impact reshaped life on Earth. The findings provide fresh evidence that many mammals were already adapting to life on land, setting the stage for their subsequent evolution and eventual dominance of the planet after the dinosaurs’ demise.

Southeast Asia’s fisheries have defied global trends by maintaining their ecological health and meeting the food needs of its growing population despite decades of warnings about overfishing. A recent study published in Fisheries Science has shed light on why this region is thriving against the tide.

The research, led by Professor Matsuishi Takashi Fritz at Hokkaido University’s Faculty of Fisheries Sciences, aimed to understand the status of Southeast Asia’s capture fisheries and identify lessons for other regions. The findings reveal that while global production has plateaued since 2018, Southeast Asia remains the top performer in terms of production growth over the past three decades.

However, this growth is not due to large-scale commercial fishing operations. Instead, it’s largely driven by small-scale and artisanal fisheries, which account for a significant portion of the region’s total catch. These small-scale fishers only take what they need for their local communities or families, as Southeast Asia has a high dependence on aquatic foods for protein.

Small-scale fishing has several advantages, according to Professor Fritz. It provides many jobs without overfishing, and the low-impact gear used by these fisheries helps preserve the ecosystem. The quality and freshness of the catch are also higher due to smaller quantities being caught at one time, which in turn fetches a relatively high price.

A unique feature of Southeast Asia’s capture fisheries is their ability to maintain biodiversity. Despite similar overfishing rates compared to the global average, the region has a three-fold higher ratio of underfished stocks than the global average. This means that there are more fish species being preserved in these waters, making it possible for multispecies fisheries to thrive.

To maintain this biodiversity, Professor Fritz emphasizes the importance of non-species-selective multispecies fisheries and management. Protecting, promoting, and controlling small-scale artisanal fisheries that do not destroy habitats is also crucial for preserving the region’s remarkable ecological health and food security.