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Quintanilla-Ahumada D, Quijón PA, Jahnsen-Guzmán N, Lynn KD, Pulgar J, Palma J, Manríquez PH, Duarte C. Splitting light pollution: Wavelength effects on the activity of two sandy beach species. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 356:124317. [PMID: 38844041 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) threatens to disrupt most natural habitats and species, including those in coastal settings, where a growing number of studies have identified ALAN impacts. A careful examination of the light properties behind those impacts is important to better understand and manage the effects of this stressor. This study focused on ALAN monochromatic wavelengths and examined which types of light spectra altered the natural activity of two prominent coastal species from the Pacific southeast: the talitroid amphipod Orchestoidea tuberculata and the oniscoid isopod Tylos spinulosus. We compared the natural daylight/night activity of these organisms with the one they exhibit when exposed to five different ALAN wavelengths: lights in the violet, blue, green, amber, and red spectra. Our working hypothesis was that ALAN alters these species' activity at night, but the magnitude of such impact differs depending on light wavelengths. Measurements of activity over 24 h cycles for five consecutive days and in three separate experiments confirmed a natural circadian activity pattern in both species, with strong activity at night (∼90% of probability) and barely any activity during daylight. However, when exposed to ALAN, activity declined significantly in both species under all light wavelengths. Interestingly, amphipods exhibited moderate activity (∼40% of probability) when exposed to red lights at night, whereas isopods shifted some of their activity to daylight hours in two of the experiments when exposed to blue or amber lights, suggesting a possible alteration in this species circadian rhythm. Altogether, our results were consistent with our working hypothesis, and suggest that ALAN reduces night activity, and some wavelengths have differential effects on each species. Differences between amphipods and isopods are likely related to their distinct adaptations to natural low-light habitat conditions, and therefore distinct sensitivity to ALAN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Quintanilla-Ahumada
- Programa de Doctorado en Medicina de la Conservación, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile; Departamento de Ecología y Biodiversidad, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pedro A Quijón
- Coastal Ecology Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE, Canada
| | - Nicole Jahnsen-Guzmán
- Programa de Doctorado en Medicina de la Conservación, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile; Departamento de Ecología y Biodiversidad, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - K Devon Lynn
- Coastal Ecology Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE, Canada
| | - José Pulgar
- Departamento de Ecología y Biodiversidad, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile; Centro de Investigaciones Marinas de Quintay (CIMARQ), Chile
| | | | - Patricio H Manríquez
- Laboratorio de Ecología y Conducta de la Ontogenia Temprana (LECOT), Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Zonas Áridas (CEAZA), Coquimbo, Chile
| | - Cristian Duarte
- Departamento de Ecología y Biodiversidad, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile; Centro de Investigaciones Marinas de Quintay (CIMARQ), Chile.
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2
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Amar A, Reynolds C, Thomson RL, Dominoni D. Investigating the impacts of artificial light via blackouts. Trends Ecol Evol 2024:S0169-5347(24)00088-0. [PMID: 38777636 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2024.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Natural experiments provide remarkable opportunities to test the large-scale effects of human activities. Widespread energy blackouts offer such an 'experiment' to test the impacts of artificial light at night (ALAN) on wildlife. We use the situation in South Africa, where regular scheduled blackouts are being implemented, to highlight this opportunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjun Amar
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Chevonne Reynolds
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Robert L Thomson
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Davide Dominoni
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary medicine, University of Glasgow, UK
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3
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Morrell S, Hatchell J, Wordingham F, Bennie J, Inston MJ, Gaston KJ. Changing streetlighting schemes and the ecological availability of darkness. J R Soc Interface 2024; 21:20230555. [PMID: 38412961 PMCID: PMC10898964 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2023.0555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Artificial light at night (ALAN), from streetlights and other sources, has a wide variety of impacts on the natural environment. A significant challenge remains, however, to predict at intermediate spatial extents (e.g. across a city) the ALAN that organisms experience under different lighting regimes. Here we use Monte Carlo radiative Transfer to model the three-dimensional lighting environment at, and just above, ground level, on the spatial scales at which animals and humans experience it. We show how this technique can be used to model a suite of both real and hypothetical lighting environments, mimicking the transition of public infrastructure between different lighting technologies. We then demonstrate how the behaviour of animals experiencing these simulated lighting environments can be emulated to probe the availability of darkness, and dark corridors, within them. Our simulations show that no single lighting technology provides an unmitigated alleviation of negative impacts within urban environments, and that holistic treatments of entire lighting environments should be employed when understanding how animals use and traverse them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam Morrell
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QL, UK
| | - Jennifer Hatchell
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QL, UK
| | - Freddy Wordingham
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QL, UK
| | - Jonathan Bennie
- Centre for Geography and Environmental Science, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Maisy J. Inston
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Kevin J. Gaston
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
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4
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Lei T, Hua H, Du H, Xia J, Xu D, Liu W, Wang Y, Yang T. Molecular mechanisms of artificial light at night affecting circadian rhythm disturbance. Arch Toxicol 2024; 98:395-408. [PMID: 38103071 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03647-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Artificial light at night (ALAN) pollution has been regarded as a global environmental concern. More than 80% of the global population is exposed to light pollution. Exacerbating this issue, artificially lit outdoor areas are growing by 2.2% per year, while continuously lit areas have brightened by 2.2% each year due to rapid population growth and expanding urbanization. Furthermore, the increasing prevalence of night shift work and smart device usage contributes to the inescapable influence of ALAN. Studies have shown that ALAN can disrupt endogenous biological clocks, resulting in a disturbance of the circadian rhythm, which ultimately affects various physiological functions. Up until now, scholars have studied various disease mechanisms caused by ALAN that may be related to the response of the circadian system to light. This review outlines the molecular mechanisms by which ALAN causes circadian rhythm abnormalities in sleep disorders, endocrine diseases, cardiovascular disease, cancer, immune impairment, depression, anxiety and cognitive impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Lei
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Stress and Chronic Disease Control and Prevention (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, China
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, China
| | - Hui Hua
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, China
- Jiangsu Engineering Research Center of Biological Data Mining and Healthcare Transformation, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, China
| | - Huiying Du
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Stress and Chronic Disease Control and Prevention (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, China
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, China
| | - Jie Xia
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Stress and Chronic Disease Control and Prevention (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, China
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, China
| | - Dandan Xu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Stress and Chronic Disease Control and Prevention (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, China
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Stress and Chronic Disease Control and Prevention (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, China
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, China
| | - Yutong Wang
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, Liaoning, China.
| | - Tianyao Yang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Stress and Chronic Disease Control and Prevention (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, China.
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, China.
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Grenis K, Nufio C, Wimp GM, Murphy SM. Does artificial light at night alter moth community composition? Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2023; 378:20220365. [PMID: 37899018 PMCID: PMC10613536 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Ecological studies investigating the effects of artificial light at night (ALAN) have primarily focused on single or a few species, and seldom on community-level dynamics. As ALAN is a potential cause of insect and biodiversity declines, community-level perspectives are essential. We empirically tested the hypothesis that moth species differentially respond to ALAN and that these responses can cause shifts in community composition. We sampled moths from prairie fragments in Colorado, USA. We tested whether local light sources, sky glow, site area and/or vegetation affected moth community diversity. We found that increased sky glow decreased moth abundance and species richness and shifted community composition. Increased sky glow shifted moth community composition when light and bait traps were combined; notably this result appears to be driven entirely by moths sampled at bait traps, which is an unbiased sampling technique. Our results show that ALAN has significant effects on moth communities and that local light sources have contrasting effects on moth community composition compared to sky glow. It is imperative that we better understand the contrasting effects of types of ALAN to comprehend the overall impacts of light pollution on biodiversity declines. This article is part of the theme issue 'Light pollution in complex ecological systems'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kylee Grenis
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Denver, Denver, CO, 80210, USA
| | - César Nufio
- University of Colorado Museum of Natural History, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
- BioInteractive Department, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, USA
| | - Gina M. Wimp
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, 20057, USA
| | - Shannon M. Murphy
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Denver, Denver, CO, 80210, USA
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Bará S, Falchi F. Artificial light at night: a global disruptor of the night-time environment. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2023; 378:20220352. [PMID: 37899010 PMCID: PMC10613534 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Light pollution is the alteration of the natural levels of darkness by an increased concentration of light particles in the night-time environment, resulting from human activity. Light pollution is profoundly changing the night-time environmental conditions across wide areas of the planet, and is a relevant stressor whose effects on life are being unveiled by a compelling body of research. In this paper, we briefly review the basic aspects of artificial light at night as a pollutant, describing its character, magnitude and extent, its worldwide distribution, its temporal and spectral change trends, as well as its dependence on current light production technologies and prevailing social uses of light. It is shown that the overall effects of light pollution are not restricted to local disturbances, but give rise to a global, multiscale disruption of the night-time environment. This article is part of the theme issue 'Light pollution in complex ecological systems'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvador Bará
- Departamento de Física Aplicada, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC), Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Galicia Spain
| | - Fabio Falchi
- Departamento de Física Aplicada, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC), Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Galicia Spain
- ISTIL Istituto di Scienza e Tecnologia dell'Inquinamento Luminoso–Light Pollution Science and Technology Institute, Via Roma, 13 - I 36016 Thiene, Italy
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7
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Spoelstra K, Teurlincx S, Courbois M, Hopkins ZM, Visser ME, Jones TM, Hopkins GR. Long-term exposure to experimental light affects the ground-dwelling invertebrate community, independent of light spectra. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2023; 378:20220364. [PMID: 37899017 PMCID: PMC10613541 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Our planet endures a progressive increase in artificial light at night (ALAN), which affects virtually all species, and thereby biodiversity. Mitigation strategies include reducing its intensity and duration, and the adjustment of light spectrum using modern light emitting diode (LED) light sources. Here, we studied ground-dwelling invertebrate (predominantly insects, arachnids, molluscs, millipedes, woodlice and worms) diversity and community composition after 3 or 4 years of continued nightly exposure (every night from sunset to sunrise) to experimental ALAN with three different spectra (white-, and green- and red-dominated light), as well as for a dark control, in natural forest-edge habitat. Diversity of pitfall-trapped ground-dwelling invertebrates, and the local contribution to beta diversity, did not differ between the dark control and illuminated sites, or between the different spectra. The invertebrate community composition, however, was significantly affected by the presence of light. Keeping lights off during single nights did show an immediate effect on the composition of trapped invertebrates compared to illuminated nights. These effects of light on species composition may impact ecosystems by cascading effects across the food web. This article is part of the theme issue 'Light pollution in complex ecological systems'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamiel Spoelstra
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), P.O. Box 50, 6700 AB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sven Teurlincx
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), P.O. Box 50, 6700 AB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Matthijs Courbois
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), P.O. Box 50, 6700 AB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Zoë M. Hopkins
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Marcel E. Visser
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), P.O. Box 50, 6700 AB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Therésa M. Jones
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Gareth R. Hopkins
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
- Department of Biology, Western Oregon University, 345 Monmouth Avenue North, Monmouth, OR 97361, USA
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8
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Sanders D, Hirt MR, Brose U, Evans DM, Gaston KJ, Gauzens B, Ryser R. How artificial light at night may rewire ecological networks: concepts and models. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2023; 378:20220368. [PMID: 37899020 PMCID: PMC10613535 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Artificial light at night (ALAN) is eroding natural light cycles and thereby changing species distributions and activity patterns. Yet little is known about how ecological interaction networks respond to this global change driver. Here, we assess the scientific basis of the current understanding of community-wide ALAN impacts. Based on current knowledge, we conceptualize and review four major pathways by which ALAN may affect ecological interaction networks by (i) impacting primary production, (ii) acting as an environmental filter affecting species survival, (iii) driving the movement and distribution of species, and (iv) changing functional roles and niches by affecting activity patterns. Using an allometric-trophic network model, we then test how a shift in temporal activity patterns for diurnal, nocturnal and crepuscular species impacts food web stability. The results indicate that diel niche shifts can severely impact community persistence by altering the temporal overlap between species, which leads to changes in interaction strengths and rewiring of networks. ALAN can thereby lead to biodiversity loss through the homogenization of temporal niches. This integrative framework aims to advance a predictive understanding of community-level and ecological-network consequences of ALAN and their cascading effects on ecosystem functioning. This article is part of the theme issue 'Light pollution in complex ecological systems'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirk Sanders
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Myriam R. Hirt
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07737 Jena, Germany
| | - Ulrich Brose
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07737 Jena, Germany
| | - Darren M. Evans
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Kevin J. Gaston
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Benoit Gauzens
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07737 Jena, Germany
| | - Remo Ryser
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07737 Jena, Germany
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9
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Cox DTC, Gaston KJ. Global erosion of terrestrial environmental space by artificial light at night. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 904:166701. [PMID: 37652384 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Artificial light at night (ALAN) disrupts natural light cycles, with biological impacts that span from behaviour of individual organisms to ecosystem functions, and across bacteria, fungi, plants and animals. Global consequences have almost invariably been inferred from the geographic distribution of ALAN. How ALAN is distributed in environmental space, and the extent to which combinations of environmental conditions with natural light cycles have been lost, is also key. Globally (between 60°N and 56°S), we ordinated four bioclimatic variables at 1.61 * 1.21 km resolution to map the position and density of terrestrial pixels within nighttime environmental space. We then used the Black Marble Nighttime Lights product to determine where direct ALAN emissions were present in environmental space in 2012 and how these had expanded in environmental space by 2022. Finally, we used the World Atlas of Artificial Sky Brightness to determine the proportion of environmental space that is unaffected by ALAN across its spatial distribution. We found that by 2012 direct ALAN emissions occurred across 71.9 % of possible nighttime terrestrial environmental conditions, with temperate nighttime environments and highly modified habitats disproportionately impacted. From 2012 to 2022 direct ALAN emissions primarily grew within 34.4 % of environmental space where it was already present, with this growth concentrated in tropical environments. Additionally considering skyglow, just 13.2 % of environmental space now only experiences natural light cycles throughout its distribution. With opportunities to maintain much of environmental space under such cycles fast disappearing, the removal, reduction and amelioration of ALAN from areas of environmental space in which it is already widespread is critical.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel T C Cox
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK.
| | - Kevin J Gaston
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
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Lucon-Xiccato T, De Russi G, Cannicci S, Maggi E, Bertolucci C. Embryonic exposure to artificial light at night impairs learning abilities and their covariance with behavioural traits in teleost fish. Biol Lett 2023; 19:20230436. [PMID: 37990566 PMCID: PMC10663786 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2023.0436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The natural light cycle has profound effects on animals' cognitive systems. Its alteration owing to human activities, such as artificial light at night (ALAN), affects the biodiversity of mammalian and avian species by impairing their cognitive functions. The impact of ALAN on cognition, however, has not been investigated in aquatic species, in spite of the common occurrence of this pollution along water bodies. We exposed eggs of a teleost fish (the zebrafish Danio rerio) to ALAN and, upon hatching, we measured larvae' cognitive abilities with a habituation learning paradigm. Both control and ALAN-exposed larvae showed habituation learning, but the latter learned significantly slower, suggesting that under ALAN conditions, fish require many more events to acquire ecologically relevant information. We also found that individuals' learning performance significantly covaried with two behavioural traits in the control zebrafish, but ALAN disrupted one of these relationships. Additionally, ALAN resulted in an average increase in larval activity. Our results showed that both fish's cognitive abilities and related individual differences are negatively impacted by light pollution, even after a short exposure in the embryonic stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyrone Lucon-Xiccato
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Gaia De Russi
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Stefano Cannicci
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Elena Maggi
- Department of Biology, CoNISMa, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Cristiano Bertolucci
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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Tougeron K, Sanders D. Combined light pollution and night warming as a novel threat to ecosystems. Trends Ecol Evol 2023:S0169-5347(23)00134-9. [PMID: 37286418 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Artificial light at night (ALAN) and night-time warming (NW) are a combined threat altering the night-time environment and the behaviour and physiology of organisms. Impacts on fitness and the nocturnal niche have knock-on effects for ecosystem structure and function. Understanding the way both stressors interact is critical for making ecological predictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kévin Tougeron
- Institut de Recherche en Biosciences, Département de Biologie, EICG Laboratory, Université de Mons, Mons, Belgium; UMR 7058 CNRS EDYSAN, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens, France.
| | - Dirk Sanders
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall, UK
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12
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Lech JC, Halma MT, Obajuluwa AO, Baker M, Hamblin MR. Fiat Lux: Light and Pedagogy for the 21st Century. Ann Neurosci 2023; 30:133-142. [PMID: 37706102 PMCID: PMC10496794 DOI: 10.1177/09727531221136646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The relationship between the quality of the learning environment and student outcomes is receiving more serious attention from educational psychologists, neurologists, ophthalmologists, orthopedists, surgeons, oncologists, architects, ergonomists, nutritionists, and Michelin star chefs. There is a role for ergonomic office and school design to positively impact worker and student productivity, and one design attribute drawing attention is the indoor lit environment. In this review, we expand upon the role that light plays in education, as it has enabled millions of pupils to read at late hours, which were previously too dark. However, still unappreciated is the biological effects of artificial light on circadian rhythm and its subsequent impacts on health and learning outcomes. Summary This review describes the current state of light in the educational environment, its impact, and the effect of certain inexpensive and easy-to-implement adaptations to better support student growth, learning and development. We find that the current lighting environment for pupils is sub-optima based on biological mechanism and may be improved through cost effective interventions. These interventions can achieve greater biological harmonization and improve learner outcomes. Key Message The impact of the lighting environment in educational institutions on pupil biology has received minimal attention thus far. The current lighting environment in schools is not conducive to student health and educational performance. Cost-effective approaches can have an outsized impact on student health and educational attainment. We strongly recommend educational institutions take the lit environment into account when designing educational programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- James C. Lech
- * These authors share joint first authorship
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam (UMC), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- National Research Foundation, South Africa
- International EMF Project & Optical Radiation, World Health Organization, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Matthew T.J. Halma
- * These authors share joint first authorship
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Adejoke O. Obajuluwa
- Biotechnology Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, Afe Babalola University, Olusegun Obasanjo Way, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria
| | - Malcolm Baker
- † Passed away June 16, 2021
- Department of Neurology, 1 Military Hospital, Pretoria, Department of Defence, South Africa Military Health Service Pretoria
- Department of Neurology, University of Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Michael R. Hamblin
- Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Science, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein, South Africa
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13
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The effects of light pollution on migratory animal behavior. Trends Ecol Evol 2023; 38:355-368. [PMID: 36610920 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2022.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Light pollution is a global threat to biodiversity, especially migratory organisms, some of which traverse hemispheric scales. Research on light pollution has grown significantly over the past decades, but our review of migratory organisms demonstrates gaps in our understanding, particularly beyond migratory birds. Research across spatial scales reveals the multifaceted effects of artificial light on migratory species, ranging from local and regional to macroscale impacts. These threats extend beyond species that are active at night - broadening the scope of this threat. Emerging tools for measuring light pollution and its impacts, as well as ecological forecasting techniques, present new pathways for conservation, including transdisciplinary approaches.
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14
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Dickerson AL, Hall ML, Jones TM. Effects of variation in natural and artificial light at night on acoustic communication: a review and prospectus. Anim Behav 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2023.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
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15
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Jolkkonen J, Gaston KJ, Troscianko J. Artificial lighting affects the landscape of fear in a widely distributed shorebird. Commun Biol 2023; 6:131. [PMID: 36721045 PMCID: PMC9889372 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04486-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Fear influences almost all aspects of a prey species' behaviour, such as its foraging and movement, and has the potential to cause trophic cascades. The superior low-light vision of many predators means that perceived predation risk in prey is likely to be affected by light levels. The widespread and increasing intensity of artificial light at night is therefore likely to interfere with this nocturnal visual arms race with unknown behavioural and ecological consequences. Here we test how the fear of predation perceived by wintering Eurasian curlew foraging on tidal flats is influenced by lighting. We quantified flight initiation distance (FID) of individuals under varying levels of natural and artificial illumination. Our results demonstrate that FID is significantly and substantially reduced at low light levels and increases under higher intensity illumination, with artificial light sources having a greater influence than natural sources. Contrary to the sensory-limitation hypothesis, the curlews' unwillingness to take flight in low-light appears to reflect the risks posed by low-light flight, and a desire to remain on valuable foraging grounds. These findings demonstrate how artificial light can shape the landscape of fear, and how this interacts with optimal foraging decisions, and the costs of taking flight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juho Jolkkonen
- grid.9681.60000 0001 1013 7965Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Kevin J. Gaston
- grid.8391.30000 0004 1936 8024Environment & Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall UK
| | - Jolyon Troscianko
- Centre for Ecology & Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall, UK.
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16
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Kivelä L, Elgert C, Lehtonen TK, Candolin U. The color of artificial light affects mate attraction in the common glow-worm. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 857:159451. [PMID: 36252663 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Artificial light at night, often referred to as 'light pollution', is a global environmental problem that threatens many nocturnal organisms. One such species is the European common glow-worm (Lampyris noctiluca), in which reproduction relies on the ability of sedentary bioluminescent females to attract flying males to mate. Previous studies show that broad-spectrum white artificial light interferes with mate attraction in this beetle. However, much less is known about wavelength-specific effects. In this study, we experimentally investigate how the peak wavelength (color) of artificial light affects glow-worm mate attraction success in the field by using dummy females that trap males landing to mate. Each dummy was illuminated from above by either a blue (peak wavelength: 452 nm), white (449 nm), yellow (575 nm), or red (625 nm) LED lighting, or light switched off in the control. We estimated mate attraction success as both the probability of attracting at least one male and the number of males attracted. In both cases, mate attraction success depended on the peak wavelength of the artificial light, with short wavelengths (blue and white) decreasing it more than long wavelengths (yellow and red). Hence, adjusting the spectrum of artificial light can be an effective measure for mitigating the negative effects of light pollution on glow-worm reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linnea Kivelä
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology, University of Helsinki, PO Box 65, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki, J.A. Palménin tie 260, 10900 Hanko, Finland.
| | - Christina Elgert
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology, University of Helsinki, PO Box 65, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki, J.A. Palménin tie 260, 10900 Hanko, Finland
| | - Topi K Lehtonen
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology, University of Helsinki, PO Box 65, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki, J.A. Palménin tie 260, 10900 Hanko, Finland; Natural Resources Institute, Paavo Havaksen tie 3, 90570 Oulu, Finland
| | - Ulrika Candolin
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology, University of Helsinki, PO Box 65, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki, J.A. Palménin tie 260, 10900 Hanko, Finland
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17
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Degen T, Kolláth Z, Degen J. X,Y, and Z: A bird's eye view on light pollution. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9608. [PMID: 36540078 PMCID: PMC9754910 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The global increase in light pollution is being viewed with growing concern, as it has been reported to have negative effects ranging from the individual to the ecosystem level.Unlike movement on the ground, flying and swimming allows vertical motion. Here, we demonstrate that flight altitude change is crucial to the perception and susceptibility of artificial light at night of air-borne organisms. Because air-borne species can propagate through the airspace and easily across ecotones, effects might not be small-scale. Therefore, we propose including airspace as a vital habitat in the concept of ecological light pollution.The interplay between flight altitude and the effects of light pollution may not only be crucial for understanding flying species but may also provide valuable insights into the mechanisms of responses to artificial light at night in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Degen
- Department of Zoology IIIUniversity of WürzburgWürzburgGermany,Department of Zoology IIUniversity of WürzburgWürzburgGermany
| | - Zoltán Kolláth
- Department of PhysicsEszterházy Károly Catholic UniversityEgerHungary
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18
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Kehoe R, Sanders D, van Veen FJ. Towards a mechanistic understanding of the effects of artificial light at night on insect populations and communities. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 53:100950. [PMID: 35868610 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2022.100950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Artificial light at night (ALAN) is markedly changing the night-time environment with many studies showing single-species responses. Exposure to ALAN can lead to population declines that should have consequences for the functioning and stability of ecological communities. Here, we summarise current knowledge on how insect communities are affected by ALAN. Based on reported effects of ALAN on the interactions between species, and what has been demonstrated for similar effects in other contexts, we argue that direct effects of ALAN on a few species can potentially propagate through the network of species interactions to have widespread effects in ecological communities. This can lead to a shift in community structure and simplified communities. We discuss the diversity of ALAN as a pressure and highlight major gaps in the research field. In particular, we conclude that landscape level impacts on populations and communities are understudied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Kehoe
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, United Kingdom
| | - Dirk Sanders
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, United Kingdom
| | - Frank Jf van Veen
- Centre for Ecology & Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, United Kingdom.
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19
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Cox DTC, Sánchez de Miguel A, Bennie J, Dzurjak SA, Gaston KJ. Majority of artificially lit Earth surface associated with the non-urban population. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 841:156782. [PMID: 35724779 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Key to understanding the negative impacts of artificial light at night (ALAN) on human health and the natural environment is its relationship with human density. ALAN has often primarily been considered an urban issue, however although over half of the population is urbanized, the 46 % that are not inhabit a dispersed array of smaller settlements. Here, we determine the global relationships between two dimensions of ALAN, namely direct emissions (radiance) and skyglow, and human density, and how these relationships vary across continents. We correct the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite Day/Night Band (VIIRS DNB) product for albedo, skyglow, airglow, the aurora and permanent snow and ice to represent upward radiance overland at 1.61 ∗ 2.12 km resolution from artificial sources only. For skyglow we use the World Atlas of Artificial Sky Brightness. Globally (between 59°N and 55°S), direct emissions were detected over 26.5 % and skyglow over 46.9 % of land area. Over half of all cumulative direct emissions (54.9 %) were emitted at low levels by the non-urban population, whilst these populations experienced the negative impacts of over two-thirds of all cumulative skyglow (69.8 %). This emphasises the extent of ALAN outside of urban areas, and its similarity in this regard to a number of other forms of pollution. Although powerful sources of rural direct emissions (e.g., industry, recreation) are important contributors of light pollution, cumulatively they only contributed 10 % to total direct emissions. The relationship between each dimension of ALAN and population density varied across continents, driven by powerful rural emissions, non-urban populations and urban design. These relationships reflect the unique socio-economic and geographical make-up of each region and inform on where best to target light pollution mitigation strategies, not only in urban areas but also in rural ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- D T C Cox
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK.
| | - A Sánchez de Miguel
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK; Departamento de Física de la Tierra y Astrofísica, Instituto de Física de Partículas y del Cosmos (IPARCOS), Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - J Bennie
- Peter Lanyon Building, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
| | - S A Dzurjak
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
| | - K J Gaston
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
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20
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Shidemantle G, Blackwood J, Horn K, Velasquez I, Ronan E, Reinke B, Hua J. The morphological effects of artificial light at night on amphibian predators and prey are masked at the community level. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 308:119604. [PMID: 35691446 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Artificial light at night (ALAN) is a pervasive pollutant that influences wildlife at both the individual and community level. In this study, we tested the individual-level effects of ALAN on three species of tadpole prey and their newt predators by measuring prey pigmentation and predator and prey mass. Then we evaluated whether the individual-level effects of ALAN on pigmentation and mass had cascading community-level effects by assessing the outcome of predator-prey interactions. We found that spring peepers exposed to ALAN were significantly darker than those reared under control conditions. Additionally, wood frogs reared in ALAN conditions were significantly smaller than those reared in control conditions. In contrast, Eastern newts collected earlier in the spring that were exposed to ALAN were significantly larger than controls while those collected later in the spring were not affected by ALAN, suggesting phenological differences in the effect of ALAN. To understand how changes in pigmentation and size due to ALAN influence predation rates, we ran predation assays in both ALAN-polluted and ALAN-free outdoor environments. After the predation assay, the size disparity in wood frogs reared in ALAN was eliminated such that there was no longer a treatment difference in wood frog size, likely due to size-selective predation. This demonstrates the beneficial nature of predators' selective pressure on prey populations. Lastly, despite individual-level effects of ALAN on pigmentation and mass, we did not detect cascading community-level effects on predation rates. Overall, this study highlights important species-level distinctions in the effects of ALAN. It also emphasizes the need to incorporate ecological complexity to understand the net impact of ALAN.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jurnee Blackwood
- Binghamton University, 4400 Vestal Pkway East, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA
| | - Kelsey Horn
- Binghamton University, 4400 Vestal Pkway East, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA
| | - Isabela Velasquez
- Binghamton University, 4400 Vestal Pkway East, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA
| | - Emily Ronan
- Binghamton University, 4400 Vestal Pkway East, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA
| | - Beth Reinke
- Northeastern Illinois University, 5500 N St Louis Ave, Chicago, IL, 60625, USA
| | - Jessica Hua
- Binghamton University, 4400 Vestal Pkway East, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA
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21
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Marangoni LFB, Davies T, Smyth T, Rodríguez A, Hamann M, Duarte C, Pendoley K, Berge J, Maggi E, Levy O. Impacts of artificial light at night in marine ecosystems-A review. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2022; 28:5346-5367. [PMID: 35583661 PMCID: PMC9540822 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The globally widespread adoption of Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) began in the mid-20th century. Yet, it is only in the last decade that a renewed research focus has emerged into its impacts on ecological and biological processes in the marine environment that are guided by natural intensities, moon phase, natural light and dark cycles and daily light spectra alterations. The field has diversified rapidly from one restricted to impacts on a handful of vertebrates, to one in which impacts have been quantified across a broad array of marine and coastal habitats and species. Here, we review the current understanding of ALAN impacts in diverse marine ecosystems. The review presents the current state of knowledge across key marine and coastal ecosystems (sandy and rocky shores, coral reefs and pelagic) and taxa (birds and sea turtles), introducing how ALAN can mask seabird and sea turtle navigation, cause changes in animals predation patterns and failure of coral spawning synchronization, as well as inhibition of zooplankton Diel Vertical Migration. Mitigation measures are recommended, however, while strategies for mitigation were easily identified, barriers to implementation are poorly understood. Finally, we point out knowledge gaps that if addressed would aid in the prediction and mitigation of ALAN impacts in the marine realm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura F. B. Marangoni
- Smithsonian Tropical Research InstituteSmithsonian InstitutionCiudad de PanamáPanamá
| | - Thomas Davies
- School of Biological and Marine SciencesUniversity of PlymouthPlymouthDevonUK
| | - Tim Smyth
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect PlacePlymouthDevonUK
| | - Airam Rodríguez
- Grupo de Ornitología e Historia Natural de las islas Canarias, GOHNICBuenavista del NorteCanary IslandsSpain
- Terrestrial Ecology Group, Department of EcologyUniversidad Autónoma de MadridMadridSpain
- Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global (CIBC‐UAM)Universidad Autónoma de MadridMadridSpain
| | - Mark Hamann
- College of Science and Engineering, Marine BiologyJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleAustralia
| | - Cristian Duarte
- Departamento de Ecología y Biodiversidad, Facultad de Ciencias de la VidaUniversidad Andres BelloSantiagoChile
| | | | - Jørgen Berge
- Department for Arctic and Marine Biology, Faculty for Biosciences, Fisheries and EconomicsUiT The Arctic University of NorwayTromsøNorway
- University Centre in SvalbardLongyearbyenNorway
- Department of Biology and Technology, Centre of Autonomous Marine Operations and SystemsNorwegian University of Science and TechnologyTrondheimNorway
| | - Elena Maggi
- Dip. di Biologia, CoNISMaUniversità di PisaPisaItaly
| | - Oren Levy
- Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life SciencesBar‐Ilan UniversityRamat GanIsrael
- The Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences, The H. Steinitz Marine Biology LaboratoryEilatIsrael
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22
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Owens ACS, Lewis SM. Artificial light impacts the mate success of female fireflies. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:220468. [PMID: 35958085 DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6125244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic light pollution is a novel environmental disruption that affects the movement, foraging and mating behaviour of nocturnal animals. Most of these effects are sublethal, and their net impact on reproductive fitness and population persistence is often extrapolated from behavioural data. Without dedicated tracking of wild individuals, however, it is impossible to predict whether populations in light-polluted habitats will decline or, instead, move to shaded refuges. To disentangle these conflicting possibilities, we investigated how artificial light affects mating and movement in North American Photinus, a genus of bioluminescent fireflies known to experience courtship failure under artificial light. The degree to which artificial light reduced mate success depended on the intensity of the light treatment, its environmental context, and the temporal niche of the species in question. In the laboratory, direct exposure to artificial light completely prevented mating in semi-nocturnal Photinus obscurellus. In the field, artificial light had little impact on the movement or mate success of local Photinus pyralis and Photinus marginellus but strongly influenced mate location in Photinus greeni; all three species are relatively crepuscular. Our nuanced results suggest greater appreciation of behavioural diversity will help insect conservationists and dark sky advocates better target efforts to protect at-risk species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avalon C S Owens
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155-5801, USA
| | - Sara M Lewis
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155-5801, USA
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23
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Owens ACS, Lewis SM. Artificial light impacts the mate success of female fireflies. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:220468. [PMID: 35958085 PMCID: PMC9364009 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.220468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic light pollution is a novel environmental disruption that affects the movement, foraging and mating behaviour of nocturnal animals. Most of these effects are sublethal, and their net impact on reproductive fitness and population persistence is often extrapolated from behavioural data. Without dedicated tracking of wild individuals, however, it is impossible to predict whether populations in light-polluted habitats will decline or, instead, move to shaded refuges. To disentangle these conflicting possibilities, we investigated how artificial light affects mating and movement in North American Photinus, a genus of bioluminescent fireflies known to experience courtship failure under artificial light. The degree to which artificial light reduced mate success depended on the intensity of the light treatment, its environmental context, and the temporal niche of the species in question. In the laboratory, direct exposure to artificial light completely prevented mating in semi-nocturnal Photinus obscurellus. In the field, artificial light had little impact on the movement or mate success of local Photinus pyralis and Photinus marginellus but strongly influenced mate location in Photinus greeni; all three species are relatively crepuscular. Our nuanced results suggest greater appreciation of behavioural diversity will help insect conservationists and dark sky advocates better target efforts to protect at-risk species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sara M. Lewis
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155-5801, USA
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24
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Miller CR, Vitousek MN, Thaler JS. Light at night disrupts trophic interactions and population growth of lady beetles and pea aphids. Oecologia 2022; 199:527-535. [PMID: 35298703 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-022-05146-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Natural variation in light has historically correlated with seasonality, providing an honest cue to organisms with seasonal life history cycles. However, with the onset of widespread light at night (LAN), the reliability of light as a cue has decreased in polluted areas, making its timing or intensity potentially clash with temperature trends. These clashing cues may influence biological systems on multiple levels. Yet, a few studies have connected behavioral underpinnings and larger community-level processes, resulting in a knowledge gap bridging individual-, population-, and community-level responses to mismatched cues. We experimentally investigated impacts of cool temperature and LAN on a lady beetle-aphid-fava system to test how light and temperature influenced aphid population growth and their underlying behavioral drivers. We used Coccinella septempunctata and Coleomegilla maculata beetles to understand the interaction of the environment and predation on pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum) population growth. Aphids and their predators reacted differently to variation in light and temperature, influencing the strength of aphid-driven and predator-driven dynamics in the different conditions. We observed evidence of aphid-driven dynamics in the cool, light conditions where aphids excel and exhibited strong anti-predator behavior. In contrast, we found stronger predator-driven dynamics in warm conditions where lady beetle predatory success was higher. Overall, we found that LAN has context-dependent effects on insect communities due to the varied responses each player has to its environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen R Miller
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, E341 Corson Hall, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA.
| | - Maren N Vitousek
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, E237 Corson Hall, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA
| | - Jennifer S Thaler
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA
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25
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Owens ACS, Dressler CT, Lewis SM. Costs and benefits of "insect friendly" artificial lights are taxon specific. Oecologia 2022; 199:487-497. [PMID: 35650413 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-022-05189-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The expansion of human activity into natural habitats often results in the introduction of artificial light at night, which can disrupt local ecosystems. Recent advances in LED technology have enabled spectral tuning of artificial light sources, which could in theory limit their impact on vulnerable taxa. To date, however, experimental comparisons of ecologically friendly candidate colors have often considered only one type of behavioral impact, sometimes on only single species. Resulting recommendations cannot be broadly implemented if their consequences for other local taxa are unknown. Working at a popular firefly ecotourism site, we exposed the insect community to artificial illumination of three colors (blue, broad-spectrum amber, red) and measured flight-to-light behavior as well as the courtship flash behavior of male Photinus carolinus fireflies. Firefly courtship activity was greatest under blue and red lights, while the most flying insects were attracted to blue and broad-spectrum amber lights. Thus, while impacts of spectrally tuned artificial light varied across taxa, our results suggest that red light, rather than amber light, is least disruptive to insects overall, and therefore more generally insect friendly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avalon C S Owens
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, 200 College Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, USA.
| | - Caroline T Dressler
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, 200 College Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, USA.,Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Brown University, 80 Waterman Street, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Sara M Lewis
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, 200 College Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
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26
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Rodríguez A, Rodríguez B, Acosta Y, Negro JJ. Tracking Flights to Investigate Seabird Mortality Induced by Artificial Lights. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.786557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Light pollution causes attraction and/or disorientation of seabirds, leading to mortality events due to multiple threats. This is a poorly understood phenomenon, largely because of the challenge to track seabirds at night from their nests to the grounding light-polluted locations. New tracking technologies can inform about this phenomenon. Here, we used GPS transmitters with remote download to track the flights of Cory’s shearwater Calonectris borealis fledglings from an inland experimental releasing site to the ocean. We released birds assigned to three experimental groups: GPS tagged, tape-labelled, and control birds. We assessed how both intrinsic (such as body mass, body condition, body size, and down abundance) and extrinsic (i.e., flight descriptors, such as distance, straightness, and flight duration, wind speed, or moon luminance) factors influenced light-induced groundings by using two datasets: one including the three groups and another including just the GPS tagged birds (as GPS devices provide unique information). We tested whether the probability of being grounded by artificial lights was related to intrinsic factors. With the use of the whole dataset, we found that birds with a higher down abundance had a higher probability of being grounded. GPS data revealed that the probability of being grounded was positively related to the tortuosity of flights and the overflown light pollution levels. Also, birds with slower flights were more likely to be grounded than birds with fast flights. Tortuosity increased with light pollution levels but decreased with the ambient light of the moon. GPSs with remote data download provided information on birds reaching the ocean, this being a substantial improvement to previous studies requiring recapture of the individuals to retrieve the data. GPS tracks of birds reaching the ocean allowed us to know that some birds overflew coastal urban areas so light-polluted as the landing sites of grounded birds. We provide novel scientific-based information to manage seabird mortality induced by artificial lights.
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27
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Hölker F, Bolliger J, Davies TW, Giavi S, Jechow A, Kalinkat G, Longcore T, Spoelstra K, Tidau S, Visser ME, Knop E. 11 Pressing Research Questions on How Light Pollution Affects Biodiversity. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.767177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Artificial light at night (ALAN) is closely associated with modern societies and is rapidly increasing worldwide. A dynamically growing body of literature shows that ALAN poses a serious threat to all levels of biodiversity—from genes to ecosystems. Many “unknowns” remain to be addressed however, before we fully understand the impact of ALAN on biodiversity and can design effective mitigation measures. Here, we distilled the findings of a workshop on the effects of ALAN on biodiversity at the first World Biodiversity Forum in Davos attended by several major research groups in the field from across the globe. We argue that 11 pressing research questions have to be answered to find ways to reduce the impact of ALAN on biodiversity. The questions address fundamental knowledge gaps, ranging from basic challenges on how to standardize light measurements, through the multi-level impacts on biodiversity, to opportunities and challenges for more sustainable use.
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Elgert C, Lehtonen TK, Kaitala A, Candolin U. The duration of artificial light defines sexual signalling in the common glow-worm. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-021-03093-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Artificial light at night is increasing globally, interfering with both sensory ecology and temporal rhythms of organisms, from zooplankton to mammals. This interference can change the behaviour of the affected organisms, and hence compromise the viability of their populations. Limiting the use of artificial light may mitigate these negative effects. Accordingly, we investigated whether the duration of artificial light affects sexual signalling in female glow-worms, Lampyris noctiluca, which are flightless and attract flying males to mate by emitting glow that is interfered by light pollution. The study included three treatments: no artificial light (control), 15 min of artificial light, and 45 min of artificial light. The results show that females were more likely to cease glowing when the exposure to light was longer. Furthermore, small females were more likely to cease their glow, and responded faster to the light, than larger females. These findings suggest that glow-worms can react rapidly to anthropogenic changes in nocturnal light levels, and that prolonged periods of artificial light trigger females to stop sexual signalling. Thus, limiting the duration of artificial light can mitigate the adverse effects of light pollution on sexual signalling, highlighting the importance of such mitigation measures.
Significance statement
Interest in the effects of artificial light at night on animal behaviour has increased in recent years. With evidence for its negative impact accumulating, potential remedies, such as limiting the duration of light exposure, have emerged. To date, however, knowledge on the effectiveness of these methods has remained very limited. We show that female European common glow-worms, which are wingless beetles that glow to attract flying males to mate, responded to prolonged artificial light exposure by discontinuing their glow. Such non-glowing females are not expected to find a mate, making it difficult for them to reproduce. Hence, our study indicates that the duration of artificial light should be limited to protect this night-active beetle and its opportunities for effective sexual signalling. Because many other nocturnal species also need darkness, this study provides valuable information for the development and use of less disruptive night-time lights.
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Kernbach ME, Miller C, Alaasam V, Ferguson S, Francis CD. Introduction to the Symposium: Effects of Light Pollution Across Diverse Natural Systems. Integr Comp Biol 2021; 61:1089-1097. [PMID: 34251459 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icab157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Light pollution, or the presence of artificial light at night (ALAN), is among the fastest growing but least understood anthropogenic stressor on the planet. While historically light pollution has not received attention comparable to climate change or chemical pollution, research over the past several decades has revealed the plethora of negative effects on humans, animals, and supporting ecosystems. As light pollution continues to grow in spatial, spectral, and temporal extent, we recognize the urgent need to understand how this affects circadian physiology, organismal fitness, life history traits and tradeoffs, population trends, and community interactions. Here, we aim to highlight background and foundational evidence of the effects of light pollution to present context and the basis for early light pollution studies. Next, we touch on several understudied topics where research is underway to fill gaps in our knowledge and provide the basis for future research. Last, we focus on questions that are vital to understanding the effects of ALAN on diverse natural systems and discuss the barriers we face conducting research on light pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meredith E Kernbach
- Center for Global Health and Infectious Disease Research, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612
| | - Colleen Miller
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | | | - Stephen Ferguson
- Department of Biology, College of Wooster, Wooster, OH 44691.,Division of Natural Sciences, St. Norbert College, De Pere, WI 54115
| | - Clinton D Francis
- Department of Biological Sciences, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407.,Communication and Social Behavior Group, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, 82319 Seewiesen, Germany
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