Scientists from the National University of Singapore have discovered that devastating locust plagues may become more common in the near future due to increased rain and winds caused by climate change. The study was published in the scientific journal magazine Science Advances (SciAdv).
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.
It turned out that the locust attacks coincided with periods of wind and rain in the affected areas. Precipitation moistens the soil, making it easier for insect eggs to hatch, and air currents carry pests long distances.
Scientists have modeled various climate change scenarios from 2065 to 2100. Calculations have shown that at the current rate of global warming, the area of locust plagues will increase by approximately 25%, affecting regions such as Western India, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Previous researchers warned about the imminent collapse of the Amazon forest due to the changing climate.