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- Title
LED lighting increases the ecological impact of light pollution irrespective of color temperature.
- Authors
Pawson, S. M.; Bader, M. K.-F.
- Abstract
Recognition of the extent and magnitude of night-time light pollution impacts on natural ecosystems is increasing, with pervasive effects observed in both nocturnal and diurnal species. Municipal and industrial lighting is on the cusp of a step change where energyefficient lighting technology is driving a shift from ''yellow'' high-pressure sodium vapor lamps (HPS) to new ''white'' light-emitting diodes (LEDs). We hypothesized that white LEDs would be more attractive and thus have greater ecological impacts than HPS due to the peak UVgreen- blue visual sensitivity of nocturnal invertebrates. Our results support this hypothesis; on average LED light traps captured 48% more insects than were captured with light traps fitted with HPS lamps, and this effect was dependent on air temperature (significant light 3 air temperature interaction). We found no evidence that manipulating the color temperature of white LEDs would minimize the ecological impacts of the adoption of white LED lights. As such, large-scale adoption of energy-efficient white LED lighting for municipal and industrial use may exacerbate ecological impacts and potentially amplify phytosanitary pest infestations. Our findings highlight the urgent need for collaborative research between ecologists and electrical engineers to ensure that future developments in LED technology minimize their potential ecological effects.
- Subjects
LIGHT emitting diodes; LIGHT pollution; NOCTURNAL animal behavior; SODIUM vapor lamps; COLOR temperature
- Publication
Ecological Applications, 2014, Vol 24, Issue 7, p1561
- ISSN
1051-0761
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1890/14-0468.1