Bugs Matter vs AquaInverts

The number of insects has been falling at an alarming rate for many years. It's no exaggeration to say that unless something is done to halt the decline, our own future could be at risk. Patterns and trends in insect numbers are nuanced, however, and we still don't have that much information on the relative rate of decline over time, and there are too few studies looking at this problem. The Bugs Matter app is an application that enables you to get involved in this critical biodiversity monitoring. Splatted insects are an unfortunate by-product of our habitual use of vehicles, but also presents us with a prime way of monitoring them. With Bugs Matter you can contribute counts of insects and other ‘bugs’, along with the route of the journey you make in a vehicle. You can also provide details about the vehicle used (needed for data analysis) by entering the registration number. This will provide scientists with important new information that will contribute to conservation, evidence, planning, and education. Anyone with a phone and use of a vehicle can get involved with recording insect counts. It is very easy and quick to submit useful data without specialist knowledge. You do not need to be the driver of the vehicle in which you make a journey. Take action for insects and help us to study this important subject!

Through stimulating research and sound science, the Atlantic Salmon Trust is the foremost evidence-based salmon conservation charity in the UK. Fighting to halt the dramatic decline in wild Atlantic salmon stocks, the Trust is on a mission to protect this iconic species and safeguard their future. The wild salmon population is in drastic decline. In the mid 1980s, there were between 8 and 10 million salmon leaping around the Atlantic. That number has now plummeted to between 2 and 3 million, revealing a dramatic population free-fall that shows no signs of levelling out. So much so, that the wild Atlantic salmon could become an endangered species in 10 years’ time, disappearing from our seas and rivers altogether in just 20 or 30 years. This is a warning we simply cannot ignore. The Atlantic Salmon Trust exists solely for the protection of wild salmon and sea trout. It is our aim to create a positive future for these at-risk species; using scientific research to understand their decline, and using the generous donations from our supporters to put evidence-based solutions into practice. Wild Atlantic salmon are an iconic species with a remarkable history. They are uniquely placed to inform us of the quality of our waters, and form an incredibly important part of the ecosystem of our rivers. We cannot afford to lose them—and that’s why everything we do at the Trust is designed to put #WildSalmonFirst