Insect Populations on the South Downs Decline by 37%

A recent study has reported a significant decline in insect populations on the South Downs in Sussex, with a 37% reduction over the past 50 years.

The research, conducted by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), has linked this decline to climate change and changes in agricultural practices.

The study, which involved annual sampling of invertebrates on arable fields every third week of June from 1970 to 2019, revealed that various insect groups, including fungivores, herbivores, predators, parasitoids, and dung-eaters, have significantly decreased. Aphids saw the most dramatic decline, with numbers falling by 90%. In total, 2.89 million invertebrates were collected over the five-decade study period.

According to the GWCT, the decline in insect populations is closely associated with factors such as changes in crop types, increased field sizes, and the use of pesticides. The organisation highlighted that extreme weather conditions, driven by climate change, also contribute to this trend. The trust emphasised the importance of invertebrates for the ecosystem, noting their roles in pest control, soil health, and pollination, and called for more research and sustainable farming practices to address the ongoing decline.