The total of wild bee species in the European continent experiencing disappearance has over doubled during the previous ten-year period, whereas the number of endangered butterfly has nearly doubled.
This dire scenario for essential pollinating species was revealed by research studies for the red list of threatened species, which established that at least over 170 bee varieties out of nearly two thousand were at risk of extinction in Europe.
The count of butterfly species at risk of extinction in Europe has increased from thirty-seven to 65 since the previous assessment, conducted 14 years ago. A single species, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
Apart from their visual charm and cultural importance, pollinators like bees along with butterflies are essential supports for our health, our food chains and our financial structures – sustaining the produce, vegetables and seeds that feed us,” stated the IUCN director general. “The newest European red list assessments reveal major obstacles, with threats growing for butterfly types and essential non-managed bee species.”
The factors of the rapid recent declines are the ongoing destruction or damage of natural habitats caused by intensive agriculture and land abandonment, draining wetlands, overgrazing by livestock, and the utilization of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid chemicals. The breaking up of habitat friendly to pollinators substantially boosts the threat of extinctions at local level.
Climate change is also revealed to be a major threat: 52% of all endangered butterfly types in Europe are imperilled by the climate emergency – approximately twice as many as a decade ago.
Up to 90% of plants that flower in Europe depend on insect pollination, according to Dr Denis Michez. “Regrettably, wild bee populations are in sharp decrease and are not easily replaceable by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If native bees die out, many native plants might be in danger as well – of which meadows rich in flowers and attractive orchid varieties are just a couple of instances.”
Fifteen types of bumblebee species, which have an essential part in fertilizing peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bee types, famous for pollinating trees such as willows and red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species found only in the European continent and the single type of this genus group in European nations, is now evaluated as critically endangered – the research category most akin to disappearance in the wild.
Butterfly species that are only found on mountain peaks are highly susceptible to climate change as they have to climb upward as their environments become more heated but in the end have no room left. In the southern part of Spain, the grayling of Nevada and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among above 40 percent of types unique to Europe (only found in Europe) at risk of extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, species such as the severely threatened grayling of Karpathos are imperilled by severe wildfires and drought.
At the same time, in the Arctic Circle, global heating is causing the timberline to advance northwards by many meters each year, with bushes invading marsh and tundra. Higher temperatures also mean Arctic deer can not anymore cross the frozen water to browse Arctic meadows and keep them open. 8 butterfly varieties are threatened with extinction in this zone, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the Arctic ringlet.
“The largest environment for all these pollinating insects is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is vanishing rapidly in European nations because of all these elements,” said Martin Warren. “The encouraging aspect is that so many citizens are aware now and there’s a lot more understanding. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all participating nations have to reverse the drop in pollinators by twenty-thirty, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are landowners who are involved. We hope they can obtain the encouragements that will support them on their way.”
According to Warren, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of steps for pollinating species which won’t reduce food production – and may enhance it – such as farmers establishing flower-rich margins around their cultivated areas.
Jessika Roswall, described the preservation condition of non-managed bees, butterfly species and other pollinating insects as “severe”.
“Urgent and collective action is necessary to confront this risk. Together with member countries, the EU Commission has implemented an European Union-wide observation system for pollinators based on the EU nature restoration law, which will aid in following our development. Now, we need to prioritize application and partnership with participating nations to protect our pollinators,” she said.
The issuance of the bee and butterfly assessments comes after the initial Europe-wide assessment of hoverflies, a further vital group of pollinators. Released in twenty-twenty-two, it disclosed that over one-third of all hoverfly types in Europe were facing extinction.
