The count of native bee types in European nations facing disappearance has increased twofold during the previous ten-year period, while the total of at-risk butterfly types has almost doubled.
This critical situation for crucial pollinators was unveiled by research studies for the red list of threatened species, which determined that at least one hundred seventy-two bee types out of over 1900 were facing extinction in the European continent.
The number of butterflies threatened with extinction in Europe has increased from thirty-seven to sixty-five since the last study, carried out over a decade past. One species, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
In addition to their beauty and cultural significance, pollinating species like bees and butterflies are crucial elements for our well-being, our food supplies and our economies – supporting the fruits, vegetables and seeds that feed us,” stated the IUCN director general. “The newest assessments of the European red list reveal significant difficulties, with risks increasing for butterfly types and essential native bee varieties.”
The reasons of the rapid recent declines are the ongoing damage or destruction of living environments caused by agricultural intensification and land abandonment, draining of wetlands, excessive grazing by animals, and the utilization of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid pesticides. The fragmentation of pollinator-friendly habitat substantially boosts the threat of disappearances in specific areas.
Climate change is also shown to be a primary risk: 52% of all threatened butterfly species in the European continent are threatened by the climate crisis – roughly double the number as a ten years ago.
As many as nine out of ten of blooming plants in Europe require pollination by animals, as per the lead coordinator of the wild bee assessment. “Sadly, non-managed bee colonies are in severe drop and cannot be easily replaced by domesticated hives,” he said. “If native bees die out, many native plants might be threatened too – of which flower-rich meadows and beautiful orchid species are just a couple of instances.”
15 varieties of bumblebee species, which perform a vital function in fertilizing legumes like peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bee species, recognized for aiding tree pollination such as willow trees and red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type exclusive to the European continent and the single type of this genus group in the European continent, is now assessed as critically at risk – the research category most akin to disappearance in the wild.
Butterfly species that are exclusively located on mountain peaks are particularly vulnerable to climate change as they have to climb upward as their habitats become more heated but eventually run out of space. In southern Spain, the Nevada grayling and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among more than 40% of European endemics (exclusive to Europe) threatened with extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, types such as the highly at-risk Karpathos grayling butterfly are imperilled by extreme dry conditions and fires.
In the meantime, in the Arctic region, climate change is causing the forest boundary to advance northwards by many meters each year, with underbrush invading marsh and tundra. Higher temperatures also mean Arctic deer can no more cross the frozen water to feed on northern grasslands and maintain them clear. Eight types of butterflies are threatened with extinction in this zone, including the fritillary of Freyja and the Arctic ringlet butterfly.
“The largest habitat for all these pollinating species is grassland rich in flowers and that is declining quickly in European nations because of all these elements,” stated Martin Warren. “The encouraging aspect is that so many people are aware now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all participating nations have to halt the drop in pollinating insects by 2030, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are property owners who are engaged. It is hoped they can receive the encouragements that will help them on their way.”
According to Warren, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of steps for pollinators which will not lower agricultural output – and may enhance it – such as farmers creating margins rich in flowers around their fields.
Jessika Roswall, portrayed the preservation condition of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “dire”.
“Prompt and unified steps is needed to confront this danger. Together with participating nations, the European Commission has established an European Union-wide observation system for pollinators based on the EU nature restoration law, which will help to track our advancement. Now, we need to focus on execution and collaboration with participating nations to protect our pollinating species,” she said.
The publication of the bee and butterfly assessments is subsequent to the initial Europe-wide evaluation of hoverflies, an additional crucial group of pollinators. Published in 2022, it showed that 37% of all hoverfly types in the European continent were facing extinction.
