Spring is Falling Silent – Why Insects and Birds Are Increasingly Disappearing

At present, mankind is aware of 1.4 million species of living organisms on Earth. Insects, arachnids and crustaceans account for 61% of them. The insects and their close relatives thus account for the predominant part of the biodiversity of our planet and they take on important functions in our ecosystems. Already in 1962, the American biologist and science journalist Rachel Carson warned of an impending ‘Silent Spring‘, should the industrialization of agriculture progress unchecked. A spring without the familiar humming of bees, bumblebees, flies, beetles and without the cheerful song of birds. This scenario is now threatening to become reality, if we do not act immediately.