At a Kansas site where plants now have less nutrients, this two-striped grasshopper is in decline. By Elizabeth PennisiEmpty calories may be grasshoppers’ downfall.
Many insect populations are declining, and a provocative new hypothesis suggests one problem is that rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) are making plants less nutritious.
That could spell trouble not just for insects, but for plant eaters of all sizes.Over the past 5 years, several studies have documented dwindling insect populations, prompting “insect apocalypse” headlines and calls for increased conservation efforts.
Not everyone was convinced; insect populations can have booms and busts, and the trends might vary depending on the species.