The number of non-managed bee types in Europe experiencing dying out has increased twofold over the past decade, and the count of threatened butterfly species has close to doubled.
This critical situation for vital pollinators was revealed by research studies for the red list of threatened species, which found that at least over 170 bee types out of 1,928 were at risk of extinction in European nations.
The total of butterfly species at risk of extinction in the European continent has risen from thirty-seven to 65 since the previous assessment, carried out over a decade past. One species, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
Apart from their aesthetic appeal and cultural significance, pollinating insects like bees and butterfly species are crucial elements for our well-being, our food chains and our economies – supporting the fruits, vegetables and seeds that sustain us,” stated the IUCN’s director general. “The latest European red list evaluations reveal serious challenges, with dangers mounting for butterfly types and vital native bee species.”
The causes of the quick recent decreases are the ongoing destruction or damage of habitats caused by agricultural intensification and land abandonment, wetland drainage, excessive grazing by animals, and the use of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoids. The breaking up of habitat friendly to pollinators substantially boosts the risk of disappearances in specific areas.
Climate change is also revealed to be a significant danger: Fifty-two percent of all at-risk butterfly species in the European continent are threatened by the climate crisis – approximately double the number as a ten years ago.
Nearly nine out of ten of blooming plants in European nations depend on pollination by animals, as per Dr Denis Michez. “Sadly, wild bee populations are in sharp decrease and are not easily replaceable by domesticated hives,” he said. “If non-managed bees disappear, many non-cultivated plants might be at risk too – of which bloom-filled grasslands and lovely orchid types are just a couple of instances.”
15 varieties of bumblebee types, which perform a vital function in pollinating crops such as peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bee types, famous for aiding tree pollination such as willow trees and red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species unique to the European continent and the only species of this genus group in Europe, is now classified as critically at risk – the scientific classification nearest to extinction in the wild.
Butterfly species that are exclusively located on mountain tops are particularly vulnerable to global warming as they need to move uphill as their living spaces become more heated but eventually have no room left. In southern Spain, the Nevada grayling and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among more than 40% of types unique to Europe (solely present in Europe) at risk of extinction.
In the Mediterranean region, varieties such as the severely threatened Karpathos grayling butterfly are imperilled by extreme dry conditions and fires.
At the same time, in the Arctic Circle, global warming is causing the timberline to move north by dozens of meters each year, with bushes invading marsh and tundra. Higher temperatures also mean Arctic deer can no more cross the frozen water to feed on Arctic grasslands and prevent them from overgrowing. Eight butterfly species are threatened with extinction in this region, including Freyja’s fritillary and the Arctic ringlet.
“The greatest living space for all these pollinating species is flower-rich grassland and that is vanishing rapidly in the European continent because of all these factors,” said a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The encouraging aspect is that so many people care now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all member states have to reverse the decline in pollinators by 2030, and they are going to have to start doing something. There are landowners who are involved. It is hoped they can get the motivations that will assist them on their way.”
As per Martin Warren, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of measures for pollinating species which will not lower agricultural output – and could improve it – such as farmers developing margins rich in flowers around their fields.
the EU’s environment commissioner, portrayed the conservation status of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “severe”.
“Prompt and unified steps is required to address this threat. In collaboration with member states, the European Commission has established an European Union-wide tracking system for pollinating insects based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will assist in monitoring our development. Now, we need to concentrate on application and partnership with member states to safeguard our pollinating insects,” she said.
The issuance of the bee and butterfly assessments comes after the pioneering European-wide evaluation of hoverflies, another essential group of pollinators. Issued in twenty-twenty-two, it revealed that over one-third of all hoverfly species in Europe were facing extinction.
