The number of wild bee species in the European continent facing extinction has more than doubled during the previous ten-year period, and the count of threatened butterfly species has almost doubled.
This pressing issue for crucial pollinating species was unveiled by scientific assessments for the red list of threatened species, which determined that at least over 170 bee varieties out of over 1900 were facing extinction in Europe.
The number of butterfly types facing extinction in the European continent has risen from thirty-seven to 65 since the earlier research, carried out 14 years ago. One type, the large white of Madeira (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
“Beyond their visual charm and cultural importance, pollinating species like bees and butterflies are crucial elements for our well-being, our food systems and our economic systems – maintaining the fruits, veggies and seeds that sustain us,” stated Grethel Aguilar. “The newest European red list evaluations reveal major obstacles, with risks increasing for butterfly types and essential non-managed bee varieties.”
The factors of the quick recent decreases are the continuing damage or destruction of habitats caused by agricultural intensification and deserted farmland, draining of wetlands, excessive grazing by animals, and the utilization of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid pesticides. The breaking up of pollinator-friendly habitat greatly increases the threat of extinctions at local level.
Global warming is also revealed to be a major threat: 52% of all endangered butterfly types in Europe are threatened by the climate emergency – roughly twofold the amount as a previous decade.
As many as ninety percent of blooming plants in Europe rely on animal pollination, according to the lead coordinator of the wild bee assessment. “Unfortunately, native bee colonies are in sharp decrease and cannot be easily replaced 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 beautiful orchid species are just a couple of instances.”
Fifteen types of bumblebee species, which have an essential part in pollinating crops such as peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bees, recognized for fertilizing trees such as willow trees and red maples, are now classified as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species unique to the European continent and the single type of this genus in the European continent, is now assessed as critically endangered – the scientific category closest to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterflies that are exclusively located on mountain tops are especially at risk to global warming as they have to climb upward as their habitats become more heated but ultimately have no room left. In the southern part of Spain, the grayling of Nevada and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among more than 40% of European endemics (exclusive to Europe) at risk of extinction.
In the Mediterranean region, species such as the severely threatened grayling of Karpathos are threatened by extreme drought and wildfires.
Meanwhile, in the Arctic Circle, global heating is resulting in the tree line to advance northwards by many meters each year, with bushes encroaching on wetlands and tundra. Higher temperatures also mean Arctic deer can not anymore cross the ice sheets to browse Arctic meadows and prevent them from overgrowing. Eight butterfly species are threatened with extinction in this area, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the Arctic ringlet.
“The greatest environment for all these pollinators is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is declining quickly throughout the European continent because of all these elements,” remarked Martin Warren. “The good news is that so many people are concerned now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the EU’s nature restoration regulation, all member states have to reverse the drop in pollinators by the year 2030, and they are going to have to begin taking action. There are property owners who are involved. It is hoped they can obtain the motivations that will assist them on their way.”
As per the coordinator, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of measures for pollinators which will not decrease agricultural output – and may enhance it – such as growers establishing margins rich in flowers around their fields.
EU commissioner for environment, characterized the conservation status of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators as “dire”.
“Urgent and collective action is required to confront this threat. Along with member states, the Commission of the European Union has put in place an Europe-wide tracking system for pollinating species based on the EU nature restoration law, which will aid in following our advancement. Now, we need to prioritize execution and collaboration with member states to safeguard our pollinators,” she said.
The release of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies follows the first EU-wide assessment of hoverflies, another essential pollinator group. Issued in 2022, it revealed that over one-third of all hoverfly species in the European continent were at risk of extinction.