Arkansas State University – Newport As Insect Populations Decline, Scientists are Trying to Understand Why
Who wants to live in a world without pandas? Would you donate a few dollars to save elephants from extinction? How about donating your hard earned money to save dung beetles? It is probably easier to generate concern for saving beloved animals like pandas, rhinos, and elephants as opposed to other organisms like fish and bugs. But are those creatures important as well?
Over the past year there have been reports in the scientific literature of a significant decline in insect populations world-wide. Read the article from Scientific American, “As Insect Populations Decline, Scientists are Trying to Understand Why” (https://goo.gl/uxrnHw) and then address the following prompts:
- Insects are the most diverse taxonomic group on the planet. Do we really need all of them? Explain whether humanity should really be concerned about insect populations and biodiversity. Your response should demonstrate a clear understanding of biodiversity, the benefits of biodiversity, and the danger of losing diversity.
- Select one of the factors that scientists have identified as likely contributing to insect population decline. How should society respond to this factor? How should the government respond? Are you willing to respond to the problem?
Make an initial post responding to the above prompts.
