The number of non-managed bee species in European nations facing disappearance has more than doubled during the previous ten-year period, while the count of at-risk butterfly species has close to doubled.
This pressing issue for essential pollinating species was unveiled by scientific studies for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, which determined that at least one hundred seventy-two bee varieties out of nearly two thousand were threatened with extinction in the European continent.
The number of butterflies at risk of extinction in European nations has risen from over thirty-five to over sixty since the previous assessment, carried out a decade and a half ago. One species, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been declared extinct.
“Beyond their visual charm and cultural value, pollinating species like bees and butterflies are lifelines for our physical condition, our food chains and our financial structures – maintaining the fruits, veggies and seeds that nourish us,” stated the IUCN’s director general. “The latest assessments of the European red list reveal major obstacles, with threats growing for butterfly types and crucial non-managed bee varieties.”
The factors of the quick recent decreases are the ongoing destruction or damage of natural habitats caused by agricultural intensification and deserted farmland, draining of wetlands, excessive grazing by animals, and the utilization of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoid pesticides. The fragmentation of environments suitable for pollinators substantially boosts the risk of disappearances in specific areas.
Global heating is also demonstrated to be a primary risk: 52% of all endangered butterfly types in Europe are endangered by the climate change crisis – roughly double the number as a decade ago.
Nearly ninety percent of flowering plants in the European continent rely on pollination by animals, as stated by the wild bee assessment’s lead coordinator. “Regrettably, native bee colonies are in sharp decrease and cannot readily be substituted by domesticated hives,” he said. “If non-managed bees disappear, many wild plants might be threatened too – of which meadows rich in flowers and attractive orchid varieties are just a few examples.”
15 varieties of bumblebee species, which have an essential part in pollinating legumes like peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bee species, famous for aiding tree pollination such as willows along with red maples, are now classified as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species found only in the European continent and the only species of this genus group in the European continent, is now evaluated as critically endangered – the scientific classification closest to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterfly types that are only found on high-altitude areas are highly susceptible to global heating as they must ascend higher as their habitats become hotter but in the end have no room left. In southern Spain, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among over forty percent of species endemic to Europe (exclusive to Europe) threatened with extinction.
In the Mediterranean region, varieties such as the severely threatened grayling of Karpathos are threatened by extreme drought and wildfires.
At the same time, in the Arctic Circle, global warming is leading to the tree line to move north by tens of metres each year, with underbrush invading marsh and tundra. Hotter climates also mean reindeer can no more cross the frozen water to feed on Arctic meadows and keep them open. Eight types of butterflies are facing extinction in this zone, including Freyja’s fritillary and the ringlet of the Arctic.
“The greatest habitat for all these pollinating species is flower-rich grassland and that is declining quickly throughout the European continent because of all these reasons,” said Martin Warren. “The encouraging aspect is that so many individuals are concerned now and there’s a lot more understanding. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all member states have to turn around the decrease in pollinating insects by 2030, and they are going to have to start doing something. There are land holders who are interested. We hope they can get the motivations that will help them on their way.”
As per the coordinator, there is “readily achievable actions” in terms of steps for pollinators which won’t reduce agricultural output – and could improve it – such as agricultural producers establishing flower-rich margins around their farmland.
EU commissioner for environment, described the preservation condition of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “severe”.
“Prompt and unified steps is necessary to confront this danger. Along with member countries, the Commission of the European Union has put in place an Europe-wide observation system for pollinators based on the EU nature restoration law, which will help to track our advancement. Now, we need to concentrate on execution and cooperation with member states to protect our pollinating insects,” she said.
The issuance of the bee and butterfly assessments follows the pioneering EU-wide study on hoverflies, a further crucial pollinator group. Issued in 2022, it showed that over one-third of all hoverfly varieties in Europe were threatened with extinction.
