Insects (Dec 2021)

Towards Insect-Friendly Road Lighting—A Transdisciplinary Multi-Stakeholder Approach Involving Citizen Scientists

  • Sibylle Schroer,
  • Kat Austen,
  • Nicola Moczek,
  • Gregor Kalinkat,
  • Andreas Jechow,
  • Stefan Heller,
  • Johanna Reinhard,
  • Sophia Dehn,
  • Charis I. Wuthenow,
  • Martin Post-Stapelfeldt,
  • Roy H. A. van Grunsven,
  • Catherine Pérez Vega,
  • Heike Schumacher,
  • Leena Kaanaa,
  • Birte Saathoff,
  • Stephan Völker,
  • Franz Hölker

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12121117
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 12
p. 1117

Abstract

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(1) The project “Tatort Streetlight” implements an insect-friendly road light design in a four year before–after, control–impact (BACI) approach involving citizen scientists. It will broaden the stakeholder interests from solely anthropogenic perspectives to include the welfare of insects and ecosystems. Motivated by the detrimental impacts of road lighting systems on insects, the project aims to find solutions to reduce the insect attraction and habitat fragmentation resulting from roadway illumination. (2) The citizen science approach invites stakeholders to take part and join forces for the development of a sustainable and environmentally friendly road lighting solution. Here, we describe the project strategy, stakeholder participation and motivation, and how the effects of the alternative road luminaire and lighting design can be evaluated. (3) The study compares the changes in (a) insect behavior, (b) night sky brightness, and (c) stakeholder participation and awareness. For this purpose, different experimental areas and stakeholders in four communities in Germany are identified. (4) The project transfers knowledge of adverse effects of improperly managed road illumination and interacts with various stakeholders to develop a new road lighting system that will consider the well-being of street users, local residents, and insects.

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