The PREDICTS project—Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems (www.predicts.org.uk)—has collated from published studies a large, reasonably representative database of comparable samples of biodiversity from multiple sites that differ in the nature or intensity of human impacts relating to land use. We have used this evidence base to develop global and regional statistical models of how local biodiversity responds to these measures. We describe and make freely available this 2016 release of the database, containing more than 3.2 million records sampled at over 26,000 locations and representing over 47,000 species. We outline how the database can help in answering a range of questions in ecology and conservation biology. To our knowledge, this is the largest and most geographically and taxonomically representative database of spatial comparisons of biodiversity that has been collated to date; it will be useful to researchers and international efforts wishing to model and understand the global status of biodiversity.

Insect resistance, based on Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) endotoxins, is the second most widely used trait (after herbicide resistance) in commercial genetically modified (GM) crops. Other modifications for insect resistance, such as proteinase inhibitors and lectins, are also being used in many experimental crops. The extensive testing on nontarget plant-feeding insects and beneficial species that has accompanied the long-term and wide-scale use of Bt plants has not detected significant adverse effects. GM plants expressing other insect-resistant proteins that have a broader spectrum of activity have been tested on only a limited number of nontarget species. Little is known about the persistence of transgene-derived proteins in soil, with the exception of Bt endotoxins, which can persist in soil for several months. Bt plants appear to have little impact on soil biota such as earthworms, collembolans, and general soil microflora. Further research is required on the effects of GM plants on soil processes such as decomposition. Assessment of nontarget impacts is an essential part of the risk assessment process for insect-resistant GM plants.

-As more transgenic crop plants become commercialised, there is an increasing need for information on their impacts on honey bees and bumblebees. Direct effects on bees may arise upon ingestion of proteins encoded by transgenes, if they are expressed in pollen, nectar or resin. Indirect effects may occur if plant transformation inadvertently changes flower phenotype. This review summarises current findings on effects of purified transgene product ingestion on adult bee gut physiology, food consumption, olfactory learning behaviour and longevity. Bt, protease inhibitor, chitinase, glucanase and biotin-binding protein genes are discussed. Results from tests conducted in the laboratory with individual adult bees and with colonies in the field are presented. Observations of bee foraging on transgenic plants kept under containment are also summarised. Results so far suggest that transgenic plant impacts on pollinators will depend on a case-by-case analysis of the gene concerned and its expression in the parts of the plant ingested by bees. Apis mellifera / Bombus terrestris / transgenic plants / Bacillus thuringiensis / protease inhibitor

Land-use change and intensification threaten bee populations worldwide, imperilling pollination services. Global models are needed to better characterise, project, and mitigate bees' responses to these human impacts. The available data are, however, geographically and taxonomically unrepresentative; most data are from North America and Western Europe, overrepresenting bumblebees and raising concerns that model results may not be generalizable to other regions and taxa. To assess whether the geographic and taxonomic biases of data could undermine effectiveness of models for conservation policy, we have collated from the published literature a global dataset of bee diversity at sites facing land-use change and intensification, and assess whether bee responses to these pressures vary across 11 regions (Western, Northern, Eastern and Southern Europe; North, Central and South America; Australia and New Zealand; South East Asia; Middle and Southern Africa) and between bumblebees and other bees. Our analyses highlight strong regionally-based responses of total abundance, species richness and Simpson's diversity to land use, caused by variation in the sensitivity of species and potentially in the nature of threats. These results suggest that global extrapolation of models based on geographically and taxonomically restricted data may underestimate the true uncertainty, increasing the risk of ecological surprises.

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To support environmental risk assessment of genetically modified (GM) crops in the European Union, this project provides a detailed overview of the arthropod fauna in arable crops across Europe. In a systematic literature search, relevant publications were identified concerning arthropods in European fields planted with maize, oilseed rape, potato, sugar/fodder beet, soybean, cotton, and rice, and in field margins. Species attributes and abundance data have been stored in a SQL-queryable database, which is available to all on the website of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). This database, which is derived from over 1000 publications, provides ecological information for 3030 species and 14ˈ762 abundance records from 31 European countries. The crop with the largest number of identified species and the largest number of records is maize, followed by beet, potato, and oilseed rape. Records from arthropods collected in field margins adjacent to the selected crops are scarce. Arthropods in the database represent 278 families and 30 orders, with beetles (Coleoptera), aphids, bugs, and leafhoppers (Hemiptera), and spiders (Araneae) having the highest number of species and records. Predators (mainly ground beetles, rove beetles, and spiders) and herbivores constitute more than 80% of all species and records in the database, followed by decomposers, parasitoids, non-predatory aquatic species, and pollinators. Herbivores are more crop-specific than the other functional groups. Few data at the species level have been published for soil arthropods. Using eight hypothetical case studies, we demonstrate how the database can facilitate the identification of ecologically and agronomically relevant species for the assessment of potential adverse effects of GM crops on non-target arthropods. Regarding geographical zoning for European GM crop risk assessment, we propose the designation of four climatic zones. Finally, we suggest ways in which the database can be improved and maintained for future use. The present document has been produced and adopted by the bodies identified above as authors. This task has been carried out exclusively by the authors in the context of a contract between the European Food Safety Authority and the authors, awarded following a tender procedure. The present document is published complying with the transparency principle to which the Authority is subject. It may not be considered as an output adopted by the Authority. The European Food Safety Authority reserves its rights, view and position as regards the issues addressed and the conclusions reached in the present document, without prejudice to the rights of the authors. SUGGESTED CITATION DISCLAIMERThe present document has been produced and adopted by the bodies identified above as authors. This task has been carried out exclusively by the authors in the context of a contract between the European Food Safety Authority and the authors, awarded following a tender procedure. The present document is published complying with the transparen...

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