Even untouched ecosystems are losing insects at alarming rates, new study finds

by Gabriella Neyman, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
September 11, 2025

A new study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill shows that insect populations are rapidly declining even in relatively undisturbed landscapes, raising concerns about the health of ecosystems that depend on them.

Keith Sockman, associate professor of biology at UNC-Chapel Hill, quantified the abundance of flying insects during 15 seasons between 2004 and 2024 on a subalpine meadow in Colorado, a site with 38 years of weather data and minimal direct human impact. He discovered an average annual decline of 6.6% in insect abundance, amounting to a 72.4% drop over the 20-year period. The study also found that this steep decline is associated with rising summer temperatures.

“Insects have a unique, if inauspicious position in the biodiversity crisis due to the ecological services, such as nutrient cycling and pollination, they provide and to their vulnerability to environmental change,” Sockman said. “Insects are necessary for terrestrial and fresh-water ecosystems to function.”

The findings address a critical gap in global insect research. While many reports of insect declines focus on habitats altered by human activity, few examine populations in relatively pristine areas. This study demonstrates that dramatic losses can occur even where direct human impacts are minimal, suggesting climate change may be a key driver.

Keep reading: https://college.unc.edu/2025/09/untouched-ecosystems-insects/

Read the Ecology paper: https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ecy.70187