Ecological conditions - The Ministry Warns of Mass Insect Extinction in Lower Saxony
Two regions, Lower Saxony and Bremen, are experiencing a significant decrease in insect populations. This is reported to be around 60% for grasshoppers and wild bee species, as stated by the Environment Ministry. The primary factors contributing to this decline are intensive farming, loss of natural habitats due to surface sealing, and climate change resulting in longer drought periods. To combat this issue, a partnership called the "Niedersachsen Way" was formed between landowners, environmental associations, and the agricultural industry with the aim of creating habitat links and reducing the use of pesticides.
While the full magnitude of the insect population decline is not yet known, there is a lack of available data. In response to questions from the AfD state parliamentary group, the government has revealed that updates or creation of red lists for insect species' conservation status are currently in progress.
The state government can provide some information regarding dragonflies, a numerically small group of insects. They reported a decrease in the number of endangered species - from almost 46% in 2007 to just under 33% by 2020 - which is attributed to measures such as moor, river, and stream rewetting. However, these findings may not apply to other species.
Marcel Queckemeyer, an AfD state parliamentarian, has voiced the need for more insect protection measures and criticized the lack of monitoring mechanisms and uncertain funding. He also accused the state government of withholding crucial information on the causes of insect decline to protect the renewable energy transition. He requests further research on the impact of wind turbines and solar panels on insect populations, arguing that the state government's dismissal of potential negative effects is questionable.
The widespread decrease in insects, both in terms of numbers and species diversity, has been reported by experts in recent years. A 2016 study known as the "Krefeld Study" found that the number of flying insects decreased by 75% at 63 locations between 1989 and 2016.
Insects perform critical ecological functions such as food sources for birds, amphibians, and bats, pest control, pollination of plants, organic matter decomposition, and soil formation processes.
