The count of non-managed bee species in the European continent facing extinction has increased twofold in the last ten years, whereas the total of endangered butterfly types has close to doubled.
This dire scenario for essential pollinating species was unveiled by scientific studies for the red list of threatened species, which determined that at least over 170 bee varieties out of over 1900 were threatened with extinction in European nations.
The total of butterfly species at risk of extinction in Europe has risen from over thirty-five to sixty-five since the earlier research, conducted over a decade past. A single species, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been declared extinct.
“Beyond their visual charm and cultural value, pollinators like bees and butterfly species are essential supports for our health, our food chains and our economic systems – maintaining the fruits, veggies and seeds that nourish us,” stated Grethel Aguilar. “The latest assessments of the European red list reveal serious challenges, with risks mounting for butterflies and essential native bee species.”
The reasons of the rapid recent declines are the continuing harm or degradation of habitats caused by agricultural intensification and abandoned land, draining of wetlands, overgrazing by livestock, and the use of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoids. The fragmentation of pollinator-friendly habitat greatly increases the danger of disappearances in specific areas.
Global heating is also shown to be a major threat: Over half of all threatened butterflies in Europe are imperilled by the climate crisis – roughly twice as many as a decade ago.
Up to 90% of flowering plants in Europe require insect pollination, as stated by the lead coordinator of the wild bee assessment. “Sadly, wild bee groups are in severe drop and are not easily replaceable by domesticated hives,” he said. “If native bees vanish, many non-cultivated plants might be at risk too – of which meadows rich in flowers and attractive orchid varieties are just a handful of illustrations.”
Fifteen species of bumblebee types, which play a crucial role in fertilizing crops such as peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bee species, known for fertilizing trees such as willows and red maples, are now classified as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee exclusive to the continent and the only species of this biological genus in Europe, is now evaluated as critically endangered – the research category closest to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterflies that are only found on mountain peaks are highly susceptible to climate change as they have to climb upward as their living spaces become warmer but eventually exhaust available space. In Spain’s southern region, the grayling of Nevada and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among more than 40% of types unique to Europe (exclusive to Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean region, species such as the severely threatened grayling of Karpathos are threatened by severe drought and wildfires.
At the same time, in the Arctic Circle, global heating is leading to the forest boundary to shift northward by tens of metres each year, with scrub invading wetlands and tundra. Higher temperatures also mean reindeer can not anymore cross the ice to graze northern grasslands and prevent them from overgrowing. Eight butterfly species are threatened with extinction in this area, including Freyja’s fritillary and the Arctic ringlet butterfly.
“The greatest environment for all these pollinators is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is disappearing very fast across the European continent because of all these elements,” remarked Martin Warren. “The good news is that so many individuals are concerned now and there’s a lot more understanding. Under the EU’s nature restoration regulation, all member states have to reverse the decrease in pollinators by the year 2030, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are land holders who are involved. It is hoped they can get the encouragements that will help them on their way.”
As per Warren, there is “readily achievable actions” in terms of steps for pollinators which will not lower crop yields – and may enhance it – such as agricultural producers developing bloom-filled edges around their farmland.
EU commissioner for environment, characterized the preservation condition of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “critical”.
“Prompt and unified steps is needed to confront this danger. In collaboration with participating nations, the EU Commission has implemented an European Union-wide observation system for pollinating insects based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will assist in monitoring our progress. Now, we need to focus on implementation and cooperation with member states to protect our pollinators,” she said.
The issuance of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies comes after the initial European-wide study on hoverflies, a further vital group of pollinators. Issued in 2022, it disclosed that over one-third of all hoverfly species in Europe were at risk of extinction.
