Impact Of Light Pollution On Nocturnal Moth And Bat Populations
Date
2022-05
Authors
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
Light pollution has increased globally by 49% over the past 25 years, altering critical
habitat for many nocturnal insect and animal populations (Sánchez de Miguel 2021). This
challenges their specialized adaptations for the darkness at night and may hurt nocturnal
populations across the globe. Northern Delaware experiences significant amounts of light
pollution. To measure its impact on nocturnal insect populations, four light-polluted and four
non-light-polluted sites were chosen to compare population sizes. This was done using moth
sheets at each site once a week for two months, counting the number of macromoths,
micromoths, Coleopterans, and Trichopterans that were present on each sheet at midnight. Four
variables that could have impacted the variation in population sizes were examined: the site’s
distance from water, habitat quality, luminosity, and the peak wavelength of the light bulbs
emitting artificial light at night (ALAN). Then, to determine whether insect population
differences impact higher trophic levels, bat species richness and call number were recorded
using a Wildlife Acoustic Song Meter SM 4 at each site. The findings showed that there was no
statistically significant difference between light-polluted and non-light-polluted sites for
macromoth, micromoth, coleopteran, and trichopteran populations. Habitat quality did have a
significant impact on macromoth populations, while luminosity had a significant impact on
coleopteran populations. Bat species richness was not significantly higher in light polluted or
non-light polluted areas.
Description
Keywords
Light pollution, Moths, Bats, Habitat quality