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Climate change set to cause serious habitat loss for insects
If temperatures rise by 3ºC, Prof Warren said ecosystem services would be “greatly reduced”.
Limiting global warming to 1.5ºC ‘would save majority of species’

Nearly 50 per cent of insects are on course to lose half of their range, if current climate predictions are correct.

This is according to new analysis led by the University of East Anglia, published in the journal Science.

Scientists say that limiting global warming to 1.5ºC would avoid half of the risks associated with warming of 2ºC for plants and animals, and two-thirds of the risks for insects.

The study suggests species around the world would benefit, but especially those in Southern Africa, the Amazon, Europe and Australia.

A research team from the UEA and James Cook University in Australia studied around 115,000 species, making this the largest study of its kind. It is also the first to look at how limiting warming to 1.5ºC could impact species globally, including insects.

Lead author Professor Rachel Warren said: “Insects are particularly sensitive to climate change. At 2ºC warming, 18 per cent of the 31,000 insects we studied are projected to lose more than half their range.
 
“This is reduced to six per cent at 1.5ºC. But even at 1.5ºC, some species lose larger proportions of their range. The current global warming trajectory, if countries meet their international pledges to reduce CO2, is around 3ºC. In this case, almost 50 per cent of insects would lose half their range.”

Insects are vital for ecosystems and humans as they pollinate crops and flowers, provide food for higher level organisms and break down detritus. If temperatures rise by 3ºC, Prof Warren said ecosystem services would be “greatly reduced”.

The study also suggests that if warming is limited to 1.5ºC by 2100, more species will be able to maintain or even gain in range. If, however, warming reaches 2ºC by 2100, Prof Warren said many species will not be able to keep up and far more will lose large parts of their range.
 

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.