The count of wild bee species in Europe facing extinction has increased twofold over the past decade, whereas the count of endangered butterfly types has nearly doubled.
This critical situation for crucial pollinators was revealed by scientific studies for the IUCN red list, which established that at least one hundred seventy-two bee varieties out of nearly two thousand were at risk of extinction in Europe.
The total of butterfly types at risk of extinction in European nations has increased from over thirty-five to sixty-five since the earlier research, carried out 14 years ago. One type, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been declared extinct.
“Beyond their beauty and cultural importance, pollinating species like bees and butterflies are essential supports for our health, our food chains and our economies – maintaining the fruits, vegetables and seeds that feed us,” commented the IUCN’s director general. “The latest assessments of the European red list reveal major obstacles, with dangers increasing for butterfly types and crucial native bee species.”
The causes of the quick recent decreases are the continuing harm or degradation of habitats caused by agricultural intensification and land abandonment, wetland drainage, overgrazing by livestock, and the use of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoids. The division of environments suitable for pollinators significantly raises the risk of local extinctions.
Global warming is also demonstrated to be a major threat: Over half of all at-risk butterfly species in Europe are endangered by the climate change crisis – roughly twice as many as a ten years ago.
As many as 90% of blooming plants in the European continent require animal pollination, as stated by the lead coordinator of the wild bee assessment. “Sadly, wild bee populations are in drastic decline and are not easily replaceable by managed bee colonies,” he said. “If wild 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 species of bumblebees, which perform a vital function in pollinating legumes like peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bee species, known for fertilizing trees such as willows and red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species unique to the mainland and the sole species of this genus in Europe, is now assessed as critically at risk – the scientific classification most akin to extinction in the wild.
Butterfly types that are exclusively located on mountain tops are particularly vulnerable to climate change as they need to move uphill as their living spaces become hotter but ultimately run out of space. In southern Spain, the Nevada grayling and the anomalous blue of Andalusia are among more than 40% of species endemic to Europe (only found in Europe) at risk of extinction.
In the Mediterranean, varieties such as the highly at-risk Karpathos grayling butterfly are imperilled by severe wildfires and drought.
Meanwhile, in the Arctic Circle, global warming is causing the tree line to advance northwards by many meters each year, with bushes taking over wetlands and tundra. Higher temperatures also mean Arctic deer can no longer cross the ice to feed on Arctic meadows and keep them open. Eight types of butterflies are facing extinction in this zone, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the ringlet of the Arctic.
“The biggest environment for all these pollinating species is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is vanishing rapidly across Europe because of all these elements,” remarked a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The good news is that so many citizens care now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the European Union nature restoration law, all participating nations have to reverse the drop in pollinating species by twenty-thirty, and they are going to have to start doing something. There are landowners who are involved. We hope they can obtain the incentives that will assist them on their way.”
As stated by Warren, there is “readily achievable actions” in terms of measures for pollinators which will not lower food production – and might boost it – such as agricultural producers creating bloom-filled edges around their cultivated areas.
EU commissioner for environment, portrayed the conservation status of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “critical”.
“Prompt and unified steps is necessary to tackle this danger. Along with participating nations, the European Commission has put in place an Europe-wide observation system for pollinating species based on the EU nature restoration law, which will assist in monitoring our advancement. Now, we need to concentrate on execution and partnership with member states to safeguard our pollinators,” she said.
The release of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies comes after the pioneering Europe-wide evaluation of hoverflies, a further crucial pollinating insect category. Published in twenty-twenty-two, it disclosed that 37% of all hoverfly species in European nations were facing extinction.
