Declines in moth populations stress the need for conserving dark nights. (4th January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: van Langevelde, Frank; Braamburg‐Annegarn, Marijke; Huigens, Martinus E.; Groendijk, Rob; Poitevin, Olivier; van Deijk, Jurriën R.; Ellis, Willem N.; van Grunsven, Roy H. A.; de Vos, Rob; Vos, Rutger A.; Franzén, Markus; WallisDeVries, Michiel F.
• Is Part Of: Global change biology. Volume 24:Number 3(2018)
• Page Start: 925
• Page End: 932
• Publication Date: 2018-01-04
• Subjects: artificial light at night -- ecological traits -- ecology of the night -- Lepidoptera -- light pollution -- phototaxis; Climatic changes -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Troposphere -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Biodiversity conservation -- Periodicals; Eutrophication -- Periodicals; 551.5
• DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1354-1013

Abstract

Abstract: Given the global continuous rise, artificial light at night is often considered a driving force behind moth population declines. Although negative effects on individuals have been shown, there is no evidence for effects on population sizes to date. Therefore, we compared population trends of Dutch macromoth fauna over the period 1985–2015 between moth species that differ in phototaxis and adult circadian rhythm. We found that moth species that show positive phototaxis or are nocturnally active have stronger negative population trends than species that are not attracted to light or are diurnal species. Our results indicate that artificial light at night is an important factor in explaining declines in moth populations in regions with high artificial night sky brightness. Our study supports efforts to reduce the impacts of artificial light at night by promoting lamps that do not attract insects and reduce overall levels of illumination in rural areas to reverse declines of moth populations. Abstract : In recent decades, nocturnal animals are confronted with increasing illumination of nightscapes by artificial light. This artificial light at night can have a strong impact on survival and reproduction and consequently on population sizes of nocturnal animals. Indeed negative effects of artificial lights on individuals have been shown, but there is no evidence for effects on population size to date. Our study for the first time indicates artificial lighting as a driver of rapid moth population declines. We found that species that have positive phototaxis or are nocturnally active show strong population declines.