Das Sterben der anderen

Conservationists are sounding the alarm: They have observed that the number of insects has decreased by more than 75 percent over the past 27 years. Not only are bees in danger, but many other insects that were once considered widespread are also at risk. And with the insects, the birds are dying off. In recent decades, especially specialist species have disappeared—those that require specific habitats, such as storks or lapwings. However, something new and very unsettling is happening: common species like skylarks, swallows, and sparrows are disappearing, as well as insects that were once abundant, such as field grasshoppers or ground beetles. Tanja Busse, a sought-after expert in agriculture and ecology, critically analyzes the situation and proposes effective countermeasures.