this post was submitted on 01 Jun 2024
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Science Memes

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[–] Rubisco@slrpnk.net 16 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Do you convert dead organic matter into fertile soil or pollinate flowers? They do. If insect populations were to vanish, so would humans. They perform too many vital functions that humans cannot.

[–] ReallyActuallyFrankenstein@lemmynsfw.com 2 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (2 children)

Yes... Sorry, I didn't mean I didn't understand what bugs do or why they're important. I just was trying to understand the meme. I was not aware that there's universally less bugs. I haven't seen this covered in news.

[–] Rubisco@slrpnk.net 10 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)
[–] flora_explora@beehaw.org 2 points 5 months ago

I don't have a good source and I think it may be a more complex, but at least in Germany various media have frequently cited a number of 70% insect biomass decrease over the last 50 years or so. As a biologist, I wouldn't be surprised if isn't even more if you compare it to preindustrial times and the decrease in biodiversity is probably much higher as well.