Singaporean and Chinese scientists have discovered that increasing locust outbreaks due to global warming could threaten food security worldwide. The research results were published in a scientific journal Science Developments.
“A warming climate will lead to widespread increases in locust outbreaks and create new challenges for global coordination of locust control,” the report said.
It is stated that increased rainfall and rising average temperatures create suitable conditions for locusts in Africa and Asia. At the same time, the pest’s range will expand
Previously, scientists from the National University of Singapore I learnedIt is stated that destructive locust swarms may become more common in the near future due to increased rain and winds caused by climate change.
Locusts continue to pose a serious threat to crops, as they have for thousands of years. A swarm of these voracious insects can consist of tens of millions of individuals and cover an area of up to 2.4 thousand square kilometers. Locusts destroy thousands of acres of farmland in a day, consuming enough crops to feed 35,000 people.
Researchers analyzed the UN Food and Agriculture Organization database. The database tracked the number of locust outbreaks in 36 countries over a 35-year period from 1985 to 2020. The team combined this information with meteorological data on indicators such as temperature, wind speed and precipitation.
Previous researchers warned about closeness Collapse of the Amazon rainforest due to changing climate.