Flying insects are disappearing in Germany

A 27-year study published Wednesday in the journal PLOS One found there's been a massive drop in insects in protected areas in Germany. The research shows even areas designed to preserve biodiversity are impacted by human actions.

Why it matters: Previous studies have estimated a roughly 50% drop in insects globally, writes Ben Guarino at the Washington Post. But this is one of the first studies to measure a decrease directly. Insects are important pollinators, but they're more than that. They eat waste, decompose detritus, spread nutrients and act as food for many species. "The whole fabric of our planet is built on plants and insects and the relationship between the two," Scott Black, executive director of the nonprofit Xerces Institute, tells the Post.