“Parachute science” is failing the tropics

Insects quietly hold much of the natural world together, yet conservation efforts are overlooking the tropical regions where more than 80 percent of insect species live. Monash University researchers have developed a global framework to close this gap by combining scientific studies with museum collections, local expertise, citizen science, social media records, and new technologies. “Parachute science” is failing the tropics, home to more than 80% of insect species.

“Parachute science” is failing the tropics, home to more than 80% of insect species Science News from research organizations “Parachute science” is failing the tropics, home to more than 80% of insect species Scientists want to rescue the world’s overlooked tropical insects by tapping a surprisingly rich mix of local knowledge, museum records, citizen science, and even social media. Insects are essential to ecosystems, agriculture, and food production, yet conservation efforts across tropical regions often fail to account for them. Shawan Chowdhury, head of the Global Change Ecology Lab at Monash University’s School of Biological Sciences.

Published in BioScience, the study brought together experts in tropical ecology from around the world to identify the main barriers to protecting insects and outline practical ways to overcome them. Most of Earth’s Insects Live in the Tropics Insects are the most diverse group of animals on the planet. Scientists estimate there may be between 14 and 30 million insect species, and most have not yet been formally documented.

Insects pollinate more than 80 percent of wild plant species, serve as food for 60 percent of bird species, and support food webs, nutrient cycling, and global food production.