Weather radars used to count flying insects in the skies over the US
3 days ago
- #environmental-research
- #insect-population
- #weather-radar
- Swiss and American researchers used weather radar data to estimate flying insect populations in the U.S.
- Approximately 100,000 billion insects fly through U.S. skies on an average summer day.
- Weather radar provides an automated, large-scale method for monitoring insect populations.
- U.S. data shows stable insect numbers overall but regional fluctuations linked to winter temperatures.
- Rare or sensitive insect species decline while common species multiply.
- Weather radar is less effective in Switzerland due to radar placement on mountain peaks.
- Researchers suggest the steepest insect declines may have occurred before the observed period (2012-2021).
- Combining radar data with other sources is crucial for accurate monitoring.
- The study was published in the journal Global Change Biology.