Grand challenges in entomology
Priorities for action in the coming decades
Abstract
Entomology is key to understanding terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems at a time of unprecedented anthropogenic environmental change and offers substantial untapped potential to benefit humanity in a variety of ways, from improving agricultural practices to managing vector-borne diseases and inspiring technological advances. We identified high priority challenges for entomology using an inclusive, open, and democratic four-stage prioritisation approach, conducted among the membership and affiliates (hereafter ‘members’) of the UK-based Royal Entomological Society (RES). A list of 710 challenges was gathered from 189 RES members. Thematic analysis was used to group suggestions, followed by an online vote to determine initial priorities, which were subsequently ranked during an online workshop involving 37 participants. The outcome was a set of 61 priority challenges within four groupings of related themes: (i) ‘Fundamental Research’ (themes: Taxonomy, ‘Blue Skies’ [defined as research ideas without immediate practical application], Methods and Techniques); (ii) ‘Anthropogenic Impacts and Conservation’ (themes: Anthropogenic Impacts, Conservation Options); (iii) ‘Uses, Ecosystem Services and Disservices’ (themes: Ecosystem Benefits, Technology and Resources [use of insects as a resource, or as inspiration], Pests); (iv) ‘Collaboration, Engagement and Training’ (themes: Knowledge Access, Training and Collaboration, Societal Engagement). Priority challenges encompass research questions, funding objectives, new technologies, and priorities for outreach and engagement. Examples include training taxonomists, establishing a global network of insect monitoring sites, understanding the extent of insect declines, exploring roles of cultivated insects in food supply chains, and connecting professional with amateur entomologists. Responses to different challenges could be led by amateur and professional entomologists, at all career stages. Overall, the challenges provide a diverse array of options to inspire and initiate entomological activities and reveal the potential of entomology to contribute to addressing global challenges related to human health and well-being, and environmental change.
Details
- Organisation(s)
-
Institute of Geobotany
- External Organisation(s)
-
University of Nottingham
University of Cambridge
UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
Univ. York, Dep. Comput. Sci., Non-Stand. Comput. Group
Royal Entomological Society
The Mansion House
Univ. of Greenwich, Dept. of Info. Syst. and Multimed., UK
Cardiff University
University of Lincoln
University of Sussex
Stockbridge Technology Centre
University of East Anglia
Royal Holloway University of London
Swansea University
Harper Adams University College
Lancaster Environment Centre
Imperial College London
Scottish Agricultural College
Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales
Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University (HNBGU)
Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA)
University of Reading
Denver Museum of Nature & Science
The Lodge RSPB
Teagasc - Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority
5 Castle St
MES Mampad College
Newforge Lane
Hall Farm
NOVA University Lisbon
The Essex Field Club
Forest Research Institute Malaysia
Newcastle University
Ulster University
Rothamsted Research
Nanyang Technological University
Eurofins Agroscience Services Ltd.
University of Edinburgh
Liverpool John Moores University
- Type
- Article
- Journal
- Insect conservation and diversity
- Volume
- 16
- Pages
- 173-189
- No. of pages
- 17
- ISSN
- 1752-458X
- Publication date
- 20.03.2023
- Publication status
- Published
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Insect Science
- Sustainable Development Goals
- SDG 2 - Zero Hunger, SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being, SDG 13 - Climate Action, SDG 15 - Life on Land
- Electronic version(s)
-
https://doi.org/10.1111/icad.12637 (Access:
Open
)
