What’s at Stake? Species Edition
PART V: INSECTS
Insects Are An Ally
Did you know insects are ideal climate change indicators because they are sensitive to temperature, moisture, and vegetation? Any change in any one of these parameters affects them.
Plus, they have short lifespans, and the impacts can be observed in a relatively short span of time.
Insects in action
Usually, insects can adjust to any climatic condition. This characteristic has helped them survive the initial impacts of global warming. Warm climate increases the insect population thereby adversely affecting agriculture and human health. Moreover, as the temperatures keep rising, many insects will be forced to move to cooler climates, changing the food chain and food web patterns.
Did You Know?
In 2009, the total number of insect fauna species in the UAE reached 1400, 87 of which were new to science at the time.
Test Your Knowledge
1. Insects are NOT sensitive to which of the following?
2. What type of climate leads to a rise in the insect population?
3. How many new species of insects were discovered in the UAE in 2009?
4. How do insects react to increasing temperatures?
