Tropical forests hold most of the world’s insect diversity, yet long-term monitoring is scarce. New syntheses suggest land conversion, logging, climate extremes, pesticides, urban light, and invasive species may be eroding insect communities and the services they provide. The risks extend beyond biodiversity to pollination, nutrient cycling, pest control, and public health.
Insects are revealing how quickly the planet is changing. Freshwater species are declining, with many losses still undocumented. Rising pesticide use and polluted runoff are placing new pressures on rivers and wetlands. Pollinators such as bees and butterflies are shifting their ranges as climate changes, reshaping ecosystems and food production. At the same time, mosquitoes and ticks are expanding into new regions as temperatures warm, increasing disease risks. These shifts show insects acting as early signals of accelerating environmental change.
Nepali scientists found that fresh turmeric grown in Nepal has exceptionally high curcumin levels, but most commercial powders are far weaker because of poor drying, long storage, and adulteration. Using a fast and affordable HPLC method, they showed that Nepal grows world-class turmeric but loses quality during processing, affecting both farmers and consumers.
