來源:中國日報網
氣候變化再一次給人類敲響了警鐘，這一次受到“末日威脅”的是不受待見但人類又離不開的昆蟲。新研究發現，在世界部分地區，受氣候變暖和勞動密集型農業的影響，昆蟲數量已減半。
[Photo/Pexels]
Insect numbers have plunged by half in some parts of the world due to climate change and intensive agriculture, a study has found.
一項研究發現，受氣候變化和集約農業的影響，世界部分地區的昆蟲數量已減半。
The combined pressures of global heating and farming are driving a 'substantial decline' of insects across the globe, according to UK researchers.
英國研究人員發現，全球變暖和農耕的雙重壓力正導緻全球各地的昆蟲數量“劇減”。
They say we must acknowledge the threats we pose to insects, before some species are lost forever.
研究人員表示，人類必須承認自己給昆蟲造成的威脅，否則一些物種将會永遠消失。
But preserving habitat for nature could help ensure vital insects thrive.
但是，保護昆蟲的自然栖息地能幫助一些重要昆蟲繁衍生息。
Lead researcher, Dr Charlie Outhwaite of UCL, said losing insect populations could be harmful not only to the natural environment, but to 'human health and food security, particularly with losses of pollinators'.
倫敦大學學院首席研究員查莉·奧斯維特博士指出，昆蟲數量減少不僅對自然環境有害，而且會危及“人類健康和食品安全，傳粉昆蟲數量減少的危害尤其大”。
'Our findings highlight the urgency of actions to preserve natural habitats, slow the expansion of high-intensity agriculture, and cut emissions to mitigate climate change,' she added.
她補充道：“我們的發現凸顯了采取措施保護自然栖息地、減緩高強度農業生産的擴張以及減排和減緩氣候變化的迫切性。”
Plummeting populations of insects around the world - a so-called 'insect apocalypse' - have caused widespread concern.
世界各地昆蟲數量劇減——所謂的“昆蟲末日”——引發了普遍的擔憂。
However, scientific data gives a mixed picture, with some types of insects showing drastic declines, while others are staying steady.
不過，科學資料反映的情況好壞參半，某些種類的昆蟲數量急劇減少，而其他種類的昆蟲數量卻保持穩定。
In the latest study, the researchers pulled together data on the range and number of nearly 20,000 insect species, including bees, ants, butterflies, grasshoppers and dragonflies, at about 6,000 different locations.
在這項最新的研究中，研究人員在約6000個不同地點收集了近2萬種昆蟲活動範圍和數量的資料，其中包括蜜蜂、螞蟻、蝴蝶、蚱蜢和蜻蜓。
In areas with high-intensity agriculture and substantial warming, insect numbers have plunged by 49% and the number of different species by 27%, compared with relatively untouched places that have so far avoided the most severe impacts of climate change, according to the research, published in Nature.
發表在《自然》雜志上的這篇研究報告指出，和氣候變化影響最輕微、耕作相對較少的地區相比，在高強度農業生産為主和氣候變暖顯著的地區，昆蟲數量減少了49%，昆蟲種類減少了27%。
But the researchers said there was some cause for hope in that setting aside areas of land for nature created a refuge for insects, which need shade to survive in hot weather.
但是研究人員表示，那些自然的“保留地”給炎熱天氣下需要綠蔭才能存活的昆蟲營造了庇護所，給昆蟲的生存提供了一線希望。
'Careful management of agricultural areas, such as preserving natural habitats near farmland, may help to ensure that vital insects can still thrive,' said Dr Tim Newbold, also of UCL.
同樣來自倫敦大學學院的蒂姆·紐博爾德博士表示：“農業區的精細化管理，比如保護農田附近的自然栖息地，或許有助于保證重要昆蟲的存活。”
Study researcher, Peter McCann, added: 'We need to acknowledge how important insects are for the environment as a whole, and for human health and wellbeing, in order to address the threats we pose to them before many species are lost forever.'
參與該研究的彼得·麥肯補充道：“我們需要承認昆蟲對整體環境以及對人類健康和幸福的重要性，進而積極應對我們給昆蟲造成的威脅，以免許多昆蟲就此永遠消失。”
英文來源：BBC
翻譯&編輯：丹妮