Beleid en debat

Two systemic neonicotinoids, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam, are widely used for residual control of several insect pests in cotton (Gossypium spp.), vegetables, and citrus (Citrus spp.). We evaluated their impact on six species of beneficial arthropods, including four parasitoid species—Aphytis melinus Debach, Gonatocerus ashmeadi Girault, Eretmocerus eremicus Rose & Zolnerowich, and Encarsia formosa Gahan—and two generalist predators—Geocoris punctipes (Say) and Orius insidiosus (Say)—in the laboratory by using a systemic uptake bioassay. Exposure to systemically treated leaves of both neonicotinoids had negative effects on adult survival in all four parasitoids, with higher potency against A. melinus as indicated by a low LC50. Mortality was also high for G. ashmeadi, E. eremicus, and E. formosa after exposure to both compounds but only after 48 h posttreatment. The two predators G. punctipes and O. insidiosus were variably susceptible to imidacloprid and thiamethoxam after 96-h exposure. However, toxicity to these predators may be related to their feeding on foliage and not just contact with surface residues. Our laboratory results contradict suggestions of little impact of these systemic neonicotinoids on parasitoids or predators.

Changes in summer numbers of adult Corn Buntings Emberiza calandra in a large sample of study areas holding discrete localized populations were measured. Singing cocks and hens paired with them were counted in early summer at 30 study areas on farmland from south Angus to central Aberdeenshire. Although 22 study areas held birds in 1989 and 25 in 1990, this fell to 10 in 1999, seven in 2005, and four in 2007 (the only areas that held birds in all years). On all areas combined, cock numbers fell by 83% between 1989 and 2007.

From 2005 onwards, butterflies have been adopted as Governmental biodiversity indicators in England, Scotland and for the UK as a whole. The indicators are compiled using butterfly abundance data collected through the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme, at a network of site established from 1976 onwards. The indicators show significant long-term declines in each country since the 1970s. In spite of large amounts of investment since 2000 to improve the habitat condition of protected areas, the trend for butterfly populations is no different in protected areas compared to elsewhere. Analysis by policy sector in England, shows that butterflies are declining rapidly in both forestry land and farmland.

We used point counts to conduct systematic quantitative surveys of Darwin’s finches and other land birds on Santa Cruz Island in the Galápagos archipelago between 1997 and 2010. The temporal analysis revealed that six of the nine species investigated declined significantly and that this decline was most pronounced at higher elevations in humid native forest and agricultural areas; the highland areas have been most affected by introduced species or direct human impact. Five of the six declining species are insectivorous, which suggests that changes in insect abundance or insect availability are a critical factor in the declines. Other factors including habitat alteration and introduced parasites or pathogens may be contributing to the observed declines.

Dragonflies are colourful, relatively large, and well-known insects. Their larvae live in freshwater habitats such as lakes, bogs, seepages, rivers and springs. Dragonflies occur almost everywhere in Europe, but the highest species diversity is found in the southern half, with the highest numbers in parts of southern France, the footland of the Alps and parts of the Balkan Peninsula. Europe holds 138 species, only three of which are not found in the 27 member states of the EU. Approximately one out of seven (15%) European dragonflies are threatened in Europe, with a similar proportion being threatened at the EU level. An additional 11% are considered Near Threatened. About a quarter (24%) of the European dragonflies have declining populations, ten percent are increasing and roughly half of the species are stable. For the remaining 12%, the available information is too limited to define any population trends.

In Obstgärten finden unzählige Tiergruppen ihren Lebensraum: Vögel, Fledermäuse, Schläfer, Igel, Spinnen, Schmetterlinge, Schwebfliegen, Käfer und weitere Insektengruppen. Über 1000 Arten von Insekten, Spinnentieren und Tausendfüssler wurden in Obstgärten festgestellt. Besonders wichtig sind Obstgärten für Vögel: Rund 40 Brutvogelarten leben in der Schweiz im Lebensraum Obstgarten. Dies entspricht einem Fünftel der einheimischen Brutvögel.

Bats are the world's only true flying mammals and one of the most diverse mammal groups on Earth. There are 16 recognised species of bats breeding in the UK. The Pipistrelles are Britain's smallest bats. Pipistrelles are the most common bats in towns and suburbs. Pipistrelles catch their food in flight and usually eat while on the wing. They mainly eat flies such as Midges and Caddis flies. They will also take Mosquitoes, Gnats, Mayflies, Lacewings and occasionally small Moths. Pipistrelles are thought to have undergone a significant decline in numbers. Estimates suggest a population decline of approximately 70% between 1978 and 1993. The increased use of insecticides has reduced the amount of insect prey available to Pipistrelles during their active season.