Germany’s Nature And Biodiversity Conservation Union, or NABU, has organized its seventh annual “insect summer,” during which it invites people to spend an hour counting the insects they see in a 33-foot radius. The project aims to educate citizens about insects and provide researchers with valuable information on trends and unexpected insights rather than precise scientific data.
In a strip of greenery between Berlin’s Natural History Museum and a busy street, bumblebees move swiftly between flowers while a ladybug makes its way along a leaf full of aphids and bugs crawl about. Gardens, balconies, verges, fields, woods, and patches of wilderness across Germany will be the scene of this year’s “insect summer,” now in its seventh year, organized by the country’s Nature And Biodiversity Conservation Union, or NABU. The environmental group has invited people to spend an hour counting the insects they see in a 33-foot radius.
Laura Breitkreuz, an expert on biodiversity and entomology at NABU, mentioned that some insects that typically occur only in the south are now spreading further north, such as the violet carpenter bee. This is seen as a sign of advancing climate change and warmer temperatures. The citizen science project aims to help people recognize more insects and understand their importance in ecosystems.
Insects play a vital role in ecosystems by contributing to pollination, food chains, and maintaining soil productivity. However, insect populations, from bees to butterflies, have been declining in recent decades due to human causes such as the use of harmful chemicals, habitat destruction, and climate change. Breitkreuz believes that people’s lack of knowledge about the insects around them is a contributing factor to this decline. Educating the public about the significance of insects is crucial in raising awareness about their importance.
To facilitate insect counting, organizers have provided a form and a mobile app for reporting firebug and lacewing sightings during the two insect-counting events scheduled from May 31 to June 9 and August 2-11. This gives participants the opportunity to observe flying and crawling insects in different seasons. The initiative aims to engage people in observing and appreciating the insect diversity in their surroundings without the need for specialized equipment.
Overall, the “insect summer” project serves as a platform for citizen scientists to contribute to insect monitoring efforts and gain a deeper understanding of the biodiversity present in their local environments. By participating in insect counting activities, individuals can play a significant role in conservation efforts and help researchers gather valuable data on insect populations and trends. Through collective action and awareness, the public can make a positive impact on insect conservation and ecosystem health.