Global Biases in Ecology and Conservation Research: Insight From Pollinator Studies.

In the fields of ecology and conservation, taxonomic and geographic biases may compromise scientific progress. Using pollinator research as a case study, we evaluate four drivers of these biases and propose solutions to address (i) untested generalisations from highly studied taxa, (ii) information accessibility, (iii) scattered environmental regulations and (iv) restricted infrastructure and funding resources. Expanding the taxonomic, functional and geographic breadth of research and legislation, and involving scientists in policymaking, can generate greater equity, accessibility and impact of future science.

Diesel exhaust and ozone adversely affect pollinators and parasitoids within flying insect communities.

The effects of air pollution on human and animal health, and on the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems, are wide-ranging. This potentially includes the disruption of valuable services provided by flying insects (e.g.

Insights from the international workshop on "Adapting agriculture to climate change and air pollution".

An international workshop on "Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change and Air Pollution" took place at Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, China, during 23-27 October, 2023. Experts working in various multi-disciplinary areas of agroecosystem and environmental research gathered for academic communication and discussions. Two discussion groups focused on "agriculture under air pollution and climate change: current challenges and priorities for the future" and "adapting agriculture to air pollution and climate change: current status and next steps.

Challenges of climate change and air pollution for volatile-mediated plant-parasitoid signalling.

Herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) are reliable cues that parasitoids can use to locate host patches. Interactions mediated by plant volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are vulnerable to disturbance by predicted climate change and air pollution scenarios. Abiotic stress-induced VOCs may act as false signals to parasitoids.

Effects of Elevated CO and O on Aboveground Brassicaceous Plant-Insect Interactions.

Atmospheric gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO) and ozone (O), influence plant-insect interactions, with variable effects. The few studies that have investigated the direct effects of elevated CO (eCO; 750-900 ppm) or elevated O (eO; 60-200 ppb) on insects have shown mixed results. Instead, most research has focused on the indirect effects through changes in the host plant.