The number of non-managed bee species in the European continent confronting extinction has more than doubled in the last ten years, and the count of threatened butterfly species has almost doubled.
This dire scenario for essential pollinators was disclosed by scientific studies for the red list of threatened species, which found that at least 172 bee species out of over 1900 were at risk of extinction in European nations.
The number of butterflies at risk of extinction in European nations has grown from over thirty-five to over sixty since the previous assessment, performed over a decade past. One species, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
In addition to their aesthetic appeal and cultural value, pollinating species like bees and butterfly species are essential supports for our well-being, our food supplies and our economic systems – supporting the fruits, vegetables and seeds that nourish us,” commented the IUCN director general. “The most recent assessments of the European red list reveal significant difficulties, with threats mounting for butterfly types and essential wild bee varieties.”
The factors of the rapid recent declines are the continuing harm or degradation of natural habitats caused by intensive agriculture and deserted farmland, wetland drainage, livestock overgrazing, and the utilization of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoids. The fragmentation of environments suitable for pollinators significantly raises the risk of extinctions at local level.
Global heating is also revealed to be a major threat: Over half of all threatened butterfly types in European nations are endangered by the climate crisis – about double the number as a ten years ago.
Nearly nine out of ten of flowering plants in the European continent rely on animal pollination, as per Dr Denis Michez. “Sadly, non-managed bee groups are in drastic decline and are not easily replaceable by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If wild bees disappear, many non-cultivated plants might be threatened too – of which flower-rich meadows and lovely orchid types are just a handful of illustrations.”
15 varieties of bumblebee types, which play a crucial role in pollinating crops such as peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bee species, famous for pollinating trees such as willow trees and red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species exclusive to the European continent and the only species of this genus group in Europe, is now classified as severely threatened – the scientific category most akin to extinction in the wild.
Butterfly types that are solely present on high-altitude areas are particularly vulnerable to global heating as they have to climb upward as their habitats become hotter but ultimately have no room left. In southern Spain, the Nevada grayling and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among more than 40% of species endemic to Europe (exclusive to Europe) threatened with extinction.
In the Mediterranean, species such as the severely threatened grayling of Karpathos are imperilled by severe dry conditions and fires.
At the same time, in the Far North, global warming is resulting in the forest boundary to advance northwards by dozens of meters each year, with underbrush encroaching on marsh and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean caribou can no longer cross the frozen water to browse Arctic grasslands and maintain them clear. Eight types of butterflies are facing extinction in this area, including the fritillary of Freyja and the Arctic ringlet.
“The biggest living space for all these pollinators is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is disappearing very fast throughout European nations because of all these reasons,” stated a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The positive thing is that so many people are concerned now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the European Union nature restoration law, all participating nations have to turn around the decline in pollinating species by twenty-thirty, and they are going to have to start doing something. There are property owners who are engaged. It is hoped they can obtain the motivations that will assist them on their way.”
As per Warren, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of steps for pollinators which won’t reduce crop yields – and might boost it – such as farmers establishing margins rich in flowers around their cultivated areas.
Jessika Roswall, portrayed the preservation condition of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “dire”.
“Immediate and joint measures is required to address this risk. In collaboration with participating nations, the European Commission has implemented an Europe-wide monitoring system for pollinating species based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will assist in monitoring our development. Now, we need to focus on implementation and partnership with participating nations to safeguard our pollinators,” she said.
The release of the assessments on bees and butterflies follows the first European-wide study on hoverflies, an additional crucial group of pollinators. Published in twenty-twenty-two, it disclosed that over one-third of all hoverfly species in European nations were facing extinction.
