The count of non-managed bee varieties in the European continent experiencing disappearance has increased twofold over the past decade, and the number of threatened butterfly types has almost doubled.
This pressing issue for essential pollinators was unveiled by research studies for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, which found that at least 172 bee species out of over 1900 were threatened with extinction in European nations.
The count of butterfly types threatened with extinction in European nations has grown from thirty-seven to over sixty since the earlier research, performed a decade and a half ago. One species, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.
“Beyond their aesthetic appeal and cultural significance, pollinating species like bees and butterflies are lifelines for our well-being, our food chains and our economies – supporting the fruits, vegetables and seeds that feed us,” commented the IUCN director general. “The most recent assessments of the European red list reveal major obstacles, with threats growing for butterfly types and crucial native bee types.”
The factors of the swift recent drops are the persistent harm or degradation of natural habitats caused by agricultural intensification and abandoned land, wetland drainage, excessive grazing by animals, and the application of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid chemicals. The division of environments suitable for pollinators significantly raises the danger of extinctions at local level.
Climate change is also shown to be a primary risk: 52% of all threatened butterflies in the European continent are endangered by the climate change crisis – about double the number as a ten years ago.
As many as ninety percent of blooming plants in the European continent require insect pollination, as stated by Dr Denis Michez. “Unfortunately, non-managed bee populations are in sharp decrease and are not easily replaceable by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If non-managed bees disappear, many wild plants might be in danger as well – of which flower-rich meadows and attractive orchid varieties are just a handful of illustrations.”
Fifteen types of bumblebee types, which perform a vital function in pollinating peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bee species, known for fertilizing trees such as willow trees and red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee exclusive to the European continent and the single type of this genus group in Europe, is now evaluated as critically at risk – the scientific classification closest to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterfly species that are solely present on mountain peaks are particularly vulnerable to global warming as they need to move uphill as their habitats become hotter but ultimately have no room left. In Spain’s southern region, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among above 40 percent of types unique to Europe (solely present in Europe) at risk of extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, types such as the severely threatened Karpathos grayling are threatened by intense wildfires and drought.
At the same time, in the Arctic Circle, climate change is causing the forest boundary to move north by dozens of meters each year, with scrub invading marsh and tundra. Hotter climates also mean caribou can no longer cross the ice to graze Arctic grasslands and prevent them from overgrowing. 8 butterfly varieties are at risk of extinction in this zone, including Freyja’s fritillary and the Arctic ringlet.
“The greatest habitat for all these pollinating insects is flower-rich grassland and that is vanishing rapidly in European nations because of all these elements,” remarked a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The positive thing is that so many individuals are concerned now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the European Union nature restoration law, all member countries have to halt the decrease in pollinating insects by the year 2030, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are property owners who are interested. Let’s hope they can get the incentives that will assist them on their way.”
According to Warren, there is “readily achievable actions” in terms of action for pollinators which won’t reduce agricultural output – and may enhance it – such as agricultural producers creating flower-rich margins around their farmland.
EU commissioner for environment, characterized the conservation status of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “critical”.
“Urgent and collective action is needed to tackle this danger. In collaboration with member states, the European Commission has implemented an Europe-wide monitoring system for pollinating insects based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will help to track our development. Now, we need to focus on execution and partnership with member countries to protect our pollinators,” she said.
The issuance of the bee and butterfly assessments is subsequent to the initial EU-wide assessment of hoverflies, an additional crucial pollinating insect category. Released in 2022, it revealed that 37% of all hoverfly varieties in the European continent were facing extinction.
