@article{VegaJechowJamesAetal.2023, author = {Vega, Catherine Perez and Jechow, Andreas and James A., Campbell and Zielinska-Dabkowska, Karolina M. and Hoelker, Franz}, title = {Light pollution from illuminated bridges as a potential barrier for migrating fish-Linking measurements with a proposal for a conceptual model}, series = {Basic and Applied Ecology}, volume = {74}, journal = {Basic and Applied Ecology}, publisher = {Elsevier}, issn = {1618-0089}, doi = {10.1016/j.baae.2023.11.001}, pages = {1 -- 12}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Illuminated bridges have become important assets to navigable aquatic systems. However, if artificial light at night (ALAN) from illuminated bridges reaches aquatic habitats, such as rivers, it can threaten the river's natural heterogeneity and alter the behavioural responses of migratory fish. Here, via a pilot study, we quantified levels of ALAN at illuminated bridges that cross a river and, propose a conceptual model to estimate its potential implications on two migrating fish species with contrasting life histories. Night-time light measurements on the river Spree in Berlin were performed continuously along a transect and in detail at seven illuminated bridges. Photometric data of the pilot study showed rapidly increased and decreased light levels at several illuminated bridges from which we derived several model illumination scenarios. These illumination scenarios and their potential effect on migrating Atlantic salmon smolts (Salmo salar) and European silver eel (Anguilla anguilla) are presented as a conceptual model, considering illuminated bridges as behavioural barriers to fish migration. ALAN's adverse effects on freshwater habitats must be better researched, understood, managed, and properly communicated to develop future sustainable lighting practices and policies that preserve riverscapes and their biodiversity.}, language = {en} } @article{AyalonAvisarJechowetal.2024, author = {Ayalon, Inbal and Avisar, Dror and Jechow, Andreas and Levy, Oren}, title = {Corals nitrogen and carbon isotopic signatures alters under Artificial Light at Night (ALAN)}, series = {The Science of The Total Environment}, journal = {The Science of The Total Environment}, number = {920}, publisher = {Elsevier}, doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170513}, year = {2024}, abstract = {This study examines the impact of Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) on two coral species, Acropora eurystoma and Pocillopora damicornis, in the Gulf of Aqaba/Eilat Red Sea, assessing their natural isotopic responses to highlight changes in energy and nutrient sourcing due to sensory light pollution. Our findings indicate significant disturbances in photosynthetic processes in Acropora eurystoma, as evidenced by shifts in δ13C values under ALAN, pointing to alterations in carbon distribution or utilization. In Pocillopora damicornis, similar trends were observed, with changes in δ13C and δ15N values suggesting a disruption in its nitrogen cycle and feeding strategies. The study also uncovers species-specific variations in heterotrophic feeding, a crucial factor in coral resilience under environmental stress, contributing to the corals' fixed carbon budget. Light measurements across the Gulf demonstrated a gradient of light pollution which possess the potential of affecting marine biology in the region. ALAN was found to disrupt natural diurnal tentacle behaviors in both coral species, crucial for prey capture and nutrient acquisition, thereby impacting their isotopic composition and health. Echoing previous research, our study underscores the need to consider each species' ecological and physiological contexts when assessing the impacts of anthropogenic changes. The findings offer important insights into the complexities of marine ecosystems under environmental stress and highlight the urgency of developing effective mitigation strategies.}, language = {en} } @article{ArroyoAbascalDegenetal.2024, author = {Arroyo, Hector Linares and Abascal, Angela and Degen, Tobias and Aub{\´e}, Martin and Espey, Brian R. and Gyuk, Geza and H{\"o}lker, Franz and Jechow, Andreas and Kuffer, Monika and S{\´a}nchez de Miguel, Alejandro and Simoneau, Alexandre and Walczak, Ken and Kyba, Christopher C. M.}, title = {Monitoring, trends and impacts of light pollution}, series = {Nature Reviews Earth \& Environment}, journal = {Nature Reviews Earth \& Environment}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, doi = {10.1038/s43017-024-00555-9}, pages = {1 -- 14}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Light pollution has increased globally, with 80\% of the total population now living under light-polluted skies. In this Review, we elucidate the scope and importance of light pollution and discuss techniques to monitor it. In urban areas, light emissions from sources such as street lights lead to a zenith radiance 40 times larger than that of an unpolluted night sky. Non-urban areas account for over 50\% of the total night-time light observed by satellites, with contributions from sources such as transportation networks and resource extraction. Artificial light can disturb the migratory and reproductive behaviours of animals even at the low illuminances from diffuse skyglow. Additionally, lighting (indoor and outdoor) accounts for 20\% of global electricity consumption and 6\% of CO2 emissions, leading to indirect environmental impacts and a financial cost. However, existing monitoring techniques can only perform a limited number of measurements throughout the night and lack spectral and spatial resolution. Therefore, satellites with improved spectral and spatial resolution are needed to enable time series analysis of light pollution trends throughout the night.}, language = {en} } @article{VegaHoelkerZielinskaDabkowskaetal.2024, author = {Vega, Catherine Perez and H{\"o}lker, Franz and Zielinska-Dabkowska, Karolina M and Jechow, Andreas}, title = {Polarised light pollution on river water surfaces caused by artificial light at night from illuminated bridges and surroundings}, series = {Journal of Limnology}, volume = {83}, journal = {Journal of Limnology}, publisher = {PAGEPress}, doi = {10.4081/jlimnol.2024.2173}, pages = {1 -- 13}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Artificial light at night originating from bridge illumination can cause polarised light pollution when it is reflected at water body surfaces. This alters the optical conditions of a river at night and potentially interferes with natural polarisation signals from, for example, moonlight. Therefore, this type of light pollution could detrimentally change the behaviour of organisms sensitive to polarised light, a navigational cue and signal known to be used e.g. by flying water-seeking insects to detect suitable aquatic habitats to reproduce and lay eggs. So far, polarised light pollution from artificial light at night is understudied. Here, we quantify polarised light pollution at the water's surface near seven illuminated bridges crossing the river Spree in Berlin. Our measurements show for the first time, that nocturnal bridge illumination induces polarised light pollution towards potential flying paths of polarotactic aquatic insects. On average, around 9\% of the water surfaces at the investigated bridges were highly polluted by polarised light, with values ranging between 3 and 12 \% for each bridge. Thus, polarised light pollution from artificial light at night is an emergent pollutant for aquatic systems. Future work on this topic should include more comprehensive measurements, further ecological studies on its impacts and the development of sustainable lighting solutions that can contribute to the protection of riverine nightscapes.}, language = {en} } @article{Jechow2024, author = {Jechow, Andreas}, title = {Let there be Skyglow - light pollution from a large outdoor music festival (Lollapalooza Berlin 2016)}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {14}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-024-62448-7}, pages = {1 -- 10}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Live music is often linked to elaborate light shows, particularly at large outdoor music festivals. However, artificial light at night is one form of environmental pollution, light pollution, and because outdoor festivals emit a substantial amount of artificial light into the environment, they are a potential source of light pollution. So far, no studies that quantified the impact of such festivals on urban light pollution and skyglow exist. Here, the light pollution produced by a major rock festival (Lollapalooza Berlin 2016 with 70,000 visitors per day in an urban park) was investigated with ground-based radiometry and night-time light data. A small night-sky radiometer installed near the main stages and a calibrated digital camera from a nearby observation spot inside of the park were used to quantify changes in night sky brightness and direct light emissions within the park. The impact of the music festival on the urban skyglow was indeed measurable. Zenith luminance increased locally by up to a factor of 8 and illuminance increased by about 50\% at the observation spot within the park. The radiance detected by night-time satellite was also increased during the festival. This is the first time, that light pollution from such a major rock music event was quantified.}, language = {en} } @article{DietenbergerJechowKalinkatetal.2024, author = {Dietenberger, Manuel and Jechow, Andreas and Kalinkat, Gregor and Schroer, Sibylle and Saathoff, Birte and H{\"o}lker, Franz}, title = {Reducing the fatal attraction of nocturnal insects using tailored and shielded road lights}, series = {communications biology}, volume = {7}, journal = {communications biology}, doi = {10.1038/s42003-024-06304-4}, pages = {1 -- 12}, year = {2024}, abstract = {The attraction of insects to artificial light is a global environmental problem with far-reaching implications for ecosystems. Since light pollution is rarely integrated into conservation approaches, effective mitigation strategies towards environmentally friendly lighting that drastically reduce insect attraction are urgently needed. Here, we tested novel luminaires in two experiments (i) at a controlled experimental field site and (ii) on streets within three municipalities. The luminaires are individually tailored to only emit light onto the target area and to reduce spill light. In addition, a customized shielding renders the light source nearly invisible beyond the lit area. We show that these novel luminaires significantly reduce the attraction effect on flying insects compared to different conventional luminaires with the same illuminance on the ground. This underlines the huge potential of spatially optimized lighting to help to bend the curve of global insect decline without compromising human safety aspects. A customized light distribution should therefore be part of sustainable future lighting concepts, most relevant in the vicinity of protected areas.}, language = {en} }