scholarly journals A global atlas of artificial light at night under the sea

Elem Sci Anth ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T. J. Smyth ◽  
A. E. Wright ◽  
D. McKee ◽  
S. Tidau ◽  
R. Tamir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Marine Ecosystems ◽  
Light Pollution ◽  
Artificial Light ◽  
Light At Night ◽  
Biological Responses ◽  
Pollution Research ◽  
Exclusive Economic Zones ◽  
Coastal Urbanization ◽  
Offshore Development ◽  
Economic Zones

The impacts of artificial light at night (ALAN) on marine ecosystems have emerged as a focus for ecological light pollution research in recent years, yet the global prevalence of ALAN in underwater marine ecosystems is unknown. We have derived a global atlas of ALAN throughout the marine water column that will accelerate our understanding of its sources and environmental impacts. At a depth of 1 m, 1.9 million km2 of the world’s coastal seas are exposed to biologically important ALAN, which equates to around 3.1% of the global exclusive economic zones. This area decreases to 1.6 million km2 (2.7%) at a depth of 10 m, and to 840,000 km2 (1.4%) at 20 m. The most heavily exposed regions are those that experience intensive offshore development in addition to coastal urbanization. The atlas highlights that ALAN as a global change issue is not exclusive to land but is also widespread in the world’s underwater habitats at irradiances that elicit biological responses in marine organisms.

scholarly journals Insect attraction to the six major types of traditional-style, residential light bulbs and implications for insect survival and light pollution

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J Justice ◽  
Teresa C Justice
Keyword(s):  
Light Trap ◽  
Insect Behavior ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Color Temperature ◽  
Light Pollution ◽  
Artificial Light ◽  
Light Bulb ◽  
Light At Night ◽  
Pollution Research ◽  
Insect Attraction

Artificial light at night can affect the behavior and survival of the arthropods attracted to it. Most light pollution research focuses on high-wattage street lamps, but lower-wattage lamps used to illuminate porches, paths, facades, and backyards vastly outnumber street lamps. Thus, residential consumers could potentially have an enormous influence on artificial light ecologies by their choice of lamp. This study compared insect attraction to the six major types of traditional-style, residential light bulb: incandescent, CFL, halogen, warm color temperature LED, cool color temperature LED, and the yellow bug lights marketed as reducing insect attraction. The bulbs were alternately used in a baffle-funnel light trap from early spring through late fall, and capture rates were determined for the orders of insects. Incandescent bulbs produced the highest trap captures; the warm color temperature LED bulb produced the fewest, even fewer than the yellow bug light. The yellow bug light attracted more Dermaptera (Leach) than the other bulbs. The data support a recommendation of LED bulbs, especially those with a warm color temperature, to minimize the effects of night lighting on insect behavior and mortality. Further, the use of yellow bug lights, in contrast to their marketing, could attract earwigs and other minor pests.

scholarly journals A Systematic Review of Research Investigating the Combined Ecological Impact of Anthropogenic Noise and Artificial Light at Night

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wouter Halfwerk ◽  
Paul Jerem
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Ecological Impact ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Anthropogenic Noise ◽  
Light Pollution ◽  
Artificial Light ◽  
Light At Night ◽  
The Impact

Levels of anthropogenic noise and artificial light at night (ALAN) are rapidly rising on a global scale. Both sensory pollutants are well known to affect animal behavior and physiology, which can lead to substantial ecological impacts. Most studies on noise or light pollution to date have focused on single stressor impacts, studying both pollutants in isolation despite their high spatial and temporal co-occurrence. However, few studies have addressed their combined impact, known as multisensory pollution, with the specific aim to assess whether the interaction between noise and light pollution leads to predictable, additive effects, or less predictable, synergistic or antagonistic effects. We carried out a systematic review of research investigating multisensory pollution and found 28 studies that simultaneously assessed the impact of anthropogenic noise and ALAN on animal function (e.g., behavior, morphology or life-history), physiology (e.g., stress, oxidative, or immune status), or population demography (e.g., abundance or species richness). Only fifteen of these studies specifically tested for possible interactive effects when both sensory pollutants were combined. Four out of eight experimental studies revealed a significant interaction effect, in contrast to only three out seven observational studies. We discuss the benefits and limitations of experimental vs. observational studies addressing multisensory pollution and call for more specific testing of the diverse ways in which noise and light pollution can interact to affect wildlife.

scholarly journals The duration of artificial light defines sexual signalling in the common glow-worm

2021 ◽  
Vol 75 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Elgert ◽  
Topi K. Lehtonen ◽  
Arja Kaitala ◽  
Ulrika Candolin
Keyword(s):  
Negative Impact ◽  
Light Exposure ◽  
Sensory Ecology ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Light Pollution ◽  
Artificial Light ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Light At Night ◽  
Night Time ◽  
Sexual Signalling

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.

scholarly journals Working with Inadequate Tools: Legislative Shortcomings in Protection against Ecological Effects of Artificial Light at Night

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 2551 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sibylle Schroer ◽  
Benedikt John Huggins ◽  
Clementine Azam ◽  
Franz Hölker
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Environmental Law ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Light Pollution ◽  
Artificial Light ◽  
Legal Analysis ◽  
Light At Night ◽  
Environmental Laws ◽  
Legal Obligations ◽  
Special Protection

The fundamental change in nocturnal landscapes due to the increasing use of artificial light at night (ALAN) is recognized as being detrimental to the environment and raises important regulatory questions as to whether and how it should be regulated based on the manifold risks to the environment. Here, we present the results of an analysis of the current legal obligations on ALAN in context with a systematic review of adverse effects. The legal analysis includes the relevant aspects of European and German environmental law, specifically nature conservation and immission control. The review represents the results of 303 studies indicating significant disturbances of organisms and landscapes. We discuss the conditions for prohibitions by environmental laws and whether protection gaps persist and, hence, whether specific legislation for light pollution is necessary. While protection is predominantly provided for species with special protection status that reveal avoidance behavior of artificially lit landscapes and associated habitat loss, adverse effects on species and landscapes without special protection status are often unaddressed by existing regulations. Legislative shortcomings are caused by difficulties in proving adverse effect on the population level, detecting lighting malpractice, and applying the law to ALAN-related situations. Measures to reduce ALAN-induced environmental impacts are highlighted. We discuss whether an obligation to implement such measures is favorable for environmental protection and how regulations can be implemented.

scholarly journals Lighting Professionals versus Light Pollution Experts? Investigating Views on an Emerging Environmental Concern

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1696 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nona Schulte-Römer ◽  
Josiane Meier ◽  
Etta Dannemann ◽  
Max Söding
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Concern ◽  
Lighting Design ◽  
Problem Definition ◽  
Light Pollution ◽  
Artificial Light ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Light At Night ◽  
Lighting Industry ◽  
Governance Challenges ◽  
Conflicting Interests

Concerns about the potential negative effects of artificial light at night on humans, flora and fauna, were originally raised by astronomers and environmentalists. Yet, we observe a growing interest in what is called light pollution among the general public and in the lighting field. Although lighting professionals are often critical of calling light ‘pollution’, they increasingly acknowledge the problem and are beginning to act accordingly. Are those who illuminate joining forces with those who take a critical stance towards artificial light at night? We explore this question in more detail based on the results of a non-representative worldwide expert survey. In our analysis, we distinguish between “lighting professionals” with occupational backgrounds linked to lighting design and the lighting industry, and “light pollution experts” with mostly astronomy- and environment-related professional backgrounds, and explore their opposing and shared views vis-à-vis issues of light pollution. Our analysis reveals that despite seemingly conflicting interests, lighting professionals and light pollution experts largely agree on the problem definition and problem-solving approaches. However, we see diverging views regarding potential obstacles to light pollution mitigation and associated governance challenges.

Satellite measurements of artificial light at night: aerosol effects

2020 ◽  
Vol 499 (4) ◽  
pp. 5075-5089
Author(s):  
S Cavazzani ◽  
S Ortolani ◽  
A Bertolo ◽  
R Binotto ◽  
P Fiorentin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Cover ◽  
Temporal Evolution ◽  
Aerosol Concentration ◽  
Light Pollution ◽  
Artificial Light ◽  
Satellite Measurements ◽  
Light At Night ◽  
Lunar Cycles ◽  
Aerosol Effects

ABSTRACT The study of artificial light at night (ALAN) by satellite is very important for the analysis of new astronomical sites and for the long-term temporal evolution observation of the emission from the ground. The analysis of satellite data presents many advantages but also some critical points because of fluctuations in measurements. The main result of this paper is the discovery of a correlation between these fluctuations and the aerosol concentration combined with cloud cover and lunar cycles. In this work, we also present a mathematical empirical model for the light pollution propagation study in relation to the aerosol concentration detected by satellite. We apply this model to the astronomical site of Asiago (Ekar Observatory) providing a possible explanation for the temporal ALAN fluctuations detected by satellite. Finally, we validate the results with the ground collected data.

scholarly journals National Scale Spatial Variation in Artificial Light at Night

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1591 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T.C. Cox ◽  
Alejandro Sánchez de Miguel ◽  
Simon A. Dzurjak ◽  
Jonathan Bennie ◽  
Kevin J. Gaston
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
National Parks ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Infrared Imaging ◽  
Natural World ◽  
Light Pollution ◽  
Artificial Light ◽  
Light At Night ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Per Capita

The disruption to natural light regimes caused by outdoor artificial nighttime lighting has significant impacts on human health and the natural world. Artificial light at night takes two forms, light emissions and skyglow (caused by the scattering of light by water, dust and gas molecules in the atmosphere). Key to determining where the biological impacts from each form are likely to be experienced is understanding their spatial occurrence, and how this varies with other landscape factors. To examine this, we used data from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) day/night band and the World Atlas of Artificial Night Sky Brightness, to determine covariation in (a) light emissions, and (b) skyglow, with human population density, landcover, protected areas and roads in Britain. We demonstrate that, although artificial light at night increases with human density, the amount of light per person decreases with increasing urbanization (with per capita median direct emissions three times greater in rural than urban populations, and per capita median skyglow eleven times greater). There was significant variation in artificial light at night within different landcover types, emphasizing that light pollution is not a solely urban issue. Further, half of English National Parks have higher levels of skyglow than light emissions, indicating their failure to buffer biodiversity from pressures that artificial lighting poses. The higher per capita emissions in rural than urban areas provide different challenges and opportunities for mitigating the negative human health and environmental impacts of light pollution.

scholarly journals Ecological Impact of Artificial Light at Night: Effective Strategies and Measures to Deal with Protected Species and Habitats

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 5991
Author(s):  
Annika K. Jägerbrand ◽  
Constantinos A. Bouroussis
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Ecological Impact ◽  
Measurement Methods ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Light Pollution ◽  
Artificial Light ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Light At Night ◽  
Landscape Characteristics

When conserving or protecting rare or endangered species, current general guidelines for reducing light pollution might not suffice to ensure long-term threatened species’ survival. Many protected areas are exposed to artificial light at levels with the potential to induce ecological impacts with unknown implications for the ecosystems they are designated to protect. Consequently, it is recommended that precautionary methods for the avoidance and mitigation of light pollution in protected areas be integrated into their management plans. This paper’s aims are to present an overview of best practices in precautionary methods to avoid and mitigate light pollution in protected areas and to identify and discuss what ecosystems should be considered light-sensitive and how to prioritise species and habitats that need protection from artificial light, including examples of legislation covering ecological light pollution in the European Union and in Sweden. The important aspects to include when considering light pollution at a landscape level are listed, and a proposal for prioritisation among species and habitats is suggested. Sensitive and conservation areas and important habitats for particularly vulnerable species could be prioritised for measures to minimise artificial lighting’s negative effects on biodiversity. This may be done by classifying protected natural environments into different zones and applying more constrained principles to limit lighting. The light pollution sensitivity of various environments and ecosystems suggests that different mitigation strategies and adaptations should be used depending on landscape characteristics, species sensitivity and other factors that may determine whether artificial light may be detrimental. Issues of the currently used measurement methods for artificial light at night are reviewed. We also propose and discuss the principles and benefits of using standardized measurement methods and appropriate instrumentation for field measurements of artificial light concerning the environmental impact of light pollution.

scholarly journals Artificial Light at Night as a New Threat for Nature Conservation in Ukraine

2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (6) ◽  
pp. 459-470 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Peregrym ◽  
O. Vasyliuk ◽  
E. Pénzesné Kónya
Keyword(s):  
Nature Conservation ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Google Earth ◽  
Nature Reserves ◽  
Light Pollution ◽  
Artificial Light ◽  
Human Society ◽  
Light At Night ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Sky Brightness

Abstract Human society benefits a lot from artificial light at night (ALAN), but in the same time it has led to a significant increase in light pollution of the night sky during the past decades. It has serious consequences on reproduction, navigation, foraging, habitat selection, communication, trophic and social interactions of the biota. Also widespread incursion of ALAN within protected areas has been evidenced for some countries, including the National Nature Parks (NNPs), Biosphere and Nature Reserves in the Steppe Zone and Crimea Mountains of Ukraine. However, the common situation with ALAN impact on protected areas within Ukraine is unclear yet. This research attempted to estimate the level of light pollution on the NNPs, Biosphere and Nature Reserves in the Forest, Forest-Steppe zones and Carpathian Mountains within Ukraine. Kmz layers of these protected areas and the New World Atlas of Artificial Sky Brightness, through Google Earth Pro, were used to calculate the level of artificial sky brightness for 33 NNPs, 2 Biosphere Reserves and 9 Nature Reserves. The results show that majority of studied protected areas are impacted by ALAN, but some of them stay almost under the dark sky still. The situation is unique for Europe, therefore these areas have the special value for biodiversity conservation and can be recognized as refugia where natural habitats are not influenced by ALAN. Based on obtained results, recommendations for improving of nature conservation management are given in the context of ALAN problem.

scholarly journals Regulating Artificial Light at Night: A Comparison Between the South Korean and English Approaches

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 21-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Morgan-Taylor ◽  
Jeong Tai Kim
Keyword(s):  
Pollution Prevention ◽  
Light Pollution ◽  
Artificial Light ◽  
The South ◽  
Light At Night ◽  
South Korean ◽  
Commercial Activities ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Prevention Act ◽  
Korean And English

Artificial light at night is associated with safety and security, and the expression well-lit is usually taken to mean brightly lit.  Without it human leisure and commercial activities would cease at dusk. However, emerging research indicates that there are problems associated with its use, and these problems are becoming more pronounced with modern lighting practices. It is these problems, which are usually called light pollution, which warrant regulation. This paper will first outline the reasons why artificial light at night should be regulated; it will then explore the different types of possible regulation, and discuss which forms may offer the best opportunities for good, sustainable lighting. It will finally critically evaluate the “bolt-on” subjective approach of the United Kingdom by way of nuisance and planning regulation, with the merits of the objective metrics system used by the South Korean Light Pollution Prevention Act 2013.

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