The number of non-managed bee types in the European continent experiencing dying out has over doubled over the past decade, while the count of threatened butterfly has close to doubled.
This dire scenario for vital pollinating species was disclosed by scientific studies for the IUCN red list, which found that at least one hundred seventy-two bee species out of over 1900 were threatened with extinction in Europe.
The number of butterfly species threatened with extinction in European nations has increased from thirty-seven to 65 since the earlier research, conducted over a decade past. A single species, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
In addition to their visual charm and cultural value, pollinators like bees and butterfly species are lifelines for our physical condition, our food supplies and our financial structures – maintaining the fruits, veggies and seeds that nourish us,” stated Grethel Aguilar. “The newest European red list evaluations reveal significant difficulties, with dangers increasing for butterfly types and essential non-managed bee varieties.”
The reasons of the rapid recent declines are the continuing destruction or damage of habitats caused by agricultural intensification and land abandonment, wetland drainage, excessive grazing by animals, and the application of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid chemicals. The division of habitat friendly to pollinators substantially boosts the risk of disappearances in specific areas.
Global heating is also revealed to be a major threat: Over half of all endangered butterflies in European nations are threatened by the climate emergency – approximately double the number as a decade ago.
Up to nine out of ten of plants that flower in European nations rely on insect pollination, as per the lead coordinator of the wild bee assessment. “Regrettably, native bee populations are in drastic decline and cannot readily be substituted by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If non-managed bees vanish, many non-cultivated plants might be in danger as well – of which bloom-filled grasslands and attractive orchid varieties are just a handful of illustrations.”
Fifteen types of bumblebee species, which perform a vital function in fertilizing peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bee species, recognized for pollinating trees such as willows and red maples, are now classified as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type unique to the mainland and the sole species of this genus in Europe, is now evaluated as critically endangered – the research category most akin to disappearance in the wild.
Butterfly species that are exclusively located on high-altitude areas are highly susceptible to global heating as they must ascend higher as their environments become warmer but eventually have no room left. In southern Spain, the grayling of Nevada and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among more than 40% of types unique to Europe (solely present in Europe) threatened with extinction.
In the Mediterranean, species such as the highly at-risk Karpathos grayling butterfly are threatened by extreme drought and wildfires.
In the meantime, in the Arctic region, global warming is resulting in the timberline to advance northwards by many meters each year, with underbrush taking over bog and tundra. Hotter climates also mean caribou can no longer cross the ice sheets to browse Arctic meadows and prevent them from overgrowing. Eight butterfly species are facing extinction in this zone, including Freyja’s fritillary and the Arctic ringlet butterfly.
“The biggest environment for all these pollinating species is grassland rich in flowers and that is disappearing very fast throughout Europe because of all these factors,” remarked Martin Warren. “The good news is that so many citizens care now and there’s a lot more understanding. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all member countries have to reverse the decrease in pollinating species by twenty-thirty, and they are going to have to start doing something. There are land holders who are interested. It is hoped they can obtain the encouragements that will assist them on their way.”
As per Martin Warren, there is “readily achievable actions” in terms of measures for pollinating species which will not lower food production – and could improve it – such as farmers establishing flower-rich margins around their cultivated areas.
EU commissioner for environment, characterized the protection status of non-managed bees, butterfly species and other pollinating insects as “critical”.
“Immediate and joint measures is required to tackle this threat. In collaboration with member countries, the European Commission has put in place an EU-wide observation system for pollinators based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will help to track our development. Now, we need to prioritize execution and partnership with member countries to safeguard our pollinators,” she said.
The publication of the assessments on bees and butterflies comes after the initial EU-wide assessment of hoverflies, an additional vital pollinating insect category. Published in twenty-twenty-two, it disclosed that 37% of all hoverfly species in the European continent were threatened with extinction.
