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Ups and downs for UK's nocturnal species Ups and downs for UK's nocturnal species
(3 days later)
The winter equinox marks the shortest day of the year and the longest night. But how are things looking for the animals exploiting this nocturnal niche? The winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year and the longest night. But how are things looking for the animals exploiting this nocturnal niche?
This year's State of Nature report, described as a stocktake of UK nature, suggested 60% of animal and plant species studied have declined in the past 50 years.This year's State of Nature report, described as a stocktake of UK nature, suggested 60% of animal and plant species studied have declined in the past 50 years.
Species that are adapted to ecological niches have fared particularly poorly compared with generalists able to adapt to changing temperatures and human developments. Dusk and dawn sightings of hedgehogs have dwindled as the species has dramatically declined by over a third since the millennium.Species that are adapted to ecological niches have fared particularly poorly compared with generalists able to adapt to changing temperatures and human developments. Dusk and dawn sightings of hedgehogs have dwindled as the species has dramatically declined by over a third since the millennium.
Experts from the People's Trust for Endangered Species have been investigating the mammals' plight and are concerned that a lack of food in the wider countryside could be responsible for their problems.Experts from the People's Trust for Endangered Species have been investigating the mammals' plight and are concerned that a lack of food in the wider countryside could be responsible for their problems.
The animals traditionally feast on beetles, worms, caterpillars and other invertebrates. But could artificial light be having an adverse effect at the small end of the biodiversity scale?The animals traditionally feast on beetles, worms, caterpillars and other invertebrates. But could artificial light be having an adverse effect at the small end of the biodiversity scale?
"We're very worried about light pollution and the effect it's having on invertebrates," says Matt Shardlow, CEO of charity Buglife."We're very worried about light pollution and the effect it's having on invertebrates," says Matt Shardlow, CEO of charity Buglife.
"Invertebrates perceive the world a lot differently to how we perceive it, we are after all a daylight species used to being in bright light all the time. But for animals living at night, bright light is anathema.""Invertebrates perceive the world a lot differently to how we perceive it, we are after all a daylight species used to being in bright light all the time. But for animals living at night, bright light is anathema."
Experts are concerned about the impacts for certain species that are more sensitive to light than others, especially those that use light to communicate such as the glow worm.Experts are concerned about the impacts for certain species that are more sensitive to light than others, especially those that use light to communicate such as the glow worm.
"The female glows in the grass and the male has to find her. If the area is flooded with artificial light then the male has no hope of finding the love of his life," explains Mr Shardlow."The female glows in the grass and the male has to find her. If the area is flooded with artificial light then the male has no hope of finding the love of his life," explains Mr Shardlow.
This year, Buglife has been conducting surveys in Scotland to establish how light pollution effects glow worms and they are now crunching the data from 300 records.This year, Buglife has been conducting surveys in Scotland to establish how light pollution effects glow worms and they are now crunching the data from 300 records.
"In Dumfries and Galloway they have declared a dark sky reserve, where they have brought in new planning guidance restricting the amount of light pollution," says Mr Shardlow."In Dumfries and Galloway they have declared a dark sky reserve, where they have brought in new planning guidance restricting the amount of light pollution," says Mr Shardlow.
The charity will monitor whether this effort helps night-specialist species with further surveys.The charity will monitor whether this effort helps night-specialist species with further surveys.
The glow worm, with its unique light signature, is one of few nocturnal species that can be monitored with relative ease but the lack of light poses a major obstacle in the study of other night-time specialists.The glow worm, with its unique light signature, is one of few nocturnal species that can be monitored with relative ease but the lack of light poses a major obstacle in the study of other night-time specialists.
Scientists have found inventive methods of tracking some from high-frequency bat detectors to moth traps, but the future prospects of others remain in the dark.Scientists have found inventive methods of tracking some from high-frequency bat detectors to moth traps, but the future prospects of others remain in the dark.
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