Researchers have found that regions that experienced a steep decline in flying insects have high levels of light pollution.
Light Pollution And Declining Insect Populations
For the study published in the Annals of Applied Biology on June 11, researchers looked at the locations in areas that were included in a 2017 study that found the biomass of flying insects has dropped by more than 75 percent.
Study researcher Maja Grubisic, from the Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) in Germany, and colleagues also analyzed other research that investigated the effects of artificial light at night on insects, and found a strong evidence of a link between light pollution and decline in insect population.
How Artificial Light Impacts Insect Populations
Half of all known insect species are nocturnal. These insects depend on the natural light from the moon and stars to move and escape from predators, as well as to do about their tasks of findings food and reproducing. Grubisic explained that artificial light at night disturbs this natural behavior, which can affect the insects' chances of survival.
"Artificial light at night can increase overall environmental pressure on insect populations," the researchers wrote in their study. "Understanding the contribution of ALAN and other factors to the decline of insects is an important step towards mitigation and the recovery of the insect fauna in our landscapes."
Effect Of Light Pollution On Human Health
The worsening light pollution does not just affect insects and other animal species. It also affects human health.
The American Medical Association warned that nighttime lighting particularly the blue-white LED variety is linked to reduced sleep times, reduced sleep quality, impaired daytime functioning, excessive sleepiness, and obesity. Intense, blue-rich LED lighting may likewise cause discomfort and disability that can reduce visual acuity, which may create road hazards.
"Blue-rich LED streetlights operate at a wavelength that most adversely suppresses melatonin during night," AMA said. "It is estimated that white LED lamps have five times greater impact on circadian sleep rhythms than conventional street lamps."
The disruption of circadian rhythm as a result of exposure to artificial lighting has also been linked to mood disorders, diabetes, and cancer.
A 2017 study found that women who were more often exposed to artificial light at night have greater risk of developing breast cancer. Researchers found that women subjected to this artificial light exposure have 14 percent increased risk of developing breast cancer.
