The number of non-managed bee species in the European continent experiencing extinction has increased twofold during the previous ten-year period, while the number of threatened butterfly species has close to doubled.
This dire scenario for crucial pollinating species was unveiled by research studies for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, which established that at least over 170 bee varieties out of over 1900 were threatened with extinction in Europe.
The total of butterflies facing extinction in European nations has increased from 37 to 65 since the earlier research, conducted a decade and a half ago. One species, the Madeiran large white butterfly (Pieris wollastoni) has now been confirmed extinct.
“Beyond their visual charm and cultural value, pollinating species like bees along with butterflies are essential supports for our health, our food systems and our financial structures – supporting the produce, vegetables and seeds that nourish us,” commented the IUCN’s director general. “The latest European red list assessments reveal significant difficulties, with dangers mounting for butterflies and crucial wild bee species.”
The reasons of the rapid recent declines are the ongoing damage or destruction of natural habitats caused by farming intensification and abandoned land, draining wetlands, overgrazing by livestock, and the utilization of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid pesticides. The breaking up of pollinator-friendly habitat greatly increases the danger of extinctions at local level.
Global warming is also shown to be a significant danger: Over half of all endangered butterfly species in the European continent are threatened by the climate crisis – roughly twice as many as a previous decade.
Up to ninety percent of flowering plants in Europe require animal pollination, according to the lead coordinator of the wild bee assessment. “Regrettably, non-managed bee colonies are in sharp decrease and cannot readily be substituted by domesticated hives,” he said. “If non-managed bees die out, many wild plants might be in danger as well – of which flower-rich meadows and beautiful orchid species are just a handful of illustrations.”
Fifteen species of bumblebee species, which perform a vital function in pollinating legumes like peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bee species, recognized for fertilizing trees such as willows along with red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee species exclusive to the mainland and the sole species of this biological genus in European nations, is now evaluated as critically endangered – the research category nearest to disappearance in the wild.
Butterflies that are only found on mountain peaks are particularly vulnerable to climate change as they must ascend higher as their environments become more heated but eventually have no room left. In southern Spain, the Nevada grayling and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among more than 40% of species endemic to Europe (exclusive to Europe) threatened with extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, species such as the highly at-risk grayling of Karpathos are imperilled by intense drought and wildfires.
Meanwhile, in the Far North, global heating is leading to the forest boundary to advance northwards by many meters each year, with underbrush invading wetlands and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean Arctic deer can no longer cross the ice sheets to feed on northern grasslands and prevent them from overgrowing. Eight butterfly species are at risk of extinction in this zone, including the fritillary of Freyja and the Arctic ringlet.
“The largest habitat for all these pollinating insects is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is declining quickly in European nations because of all these factors,” said one of the lead coordinators of the butterflies assessment. “The good news is that so many citizens care now and there’s a lot more awareness. Under the EU’s nature restoration regulation, all participating nations have to turn around the decrease in pollinating species by 2030, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are land holders who are engaged. Let’s hope they can get the motivations that will support them on their way.”
As stated by the coordinator, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of measures for pollinating species which will not decrease food production – and could improve it – such as farmers establishing bloom-filled edges around their farmland.
Jessika Roswall, described the conservation status of non-managed bees, butterfly species and other pollinating insects as “critical”.
“Prompt and unified steps is necessary to tackle this danger. Together with participating nations, the EU Commission has established an EU-wide observation system for pollinating species based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will aid in following our development. Now, we need to concentrate on execution and collaboration with member states to protect our pollinating insects,” she said.
The publication of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies is subsequent to the pioneering European-wide assessment of hoverflies, a further crucial pollinator group. Released in twenty-twenty-two, it revealed that thirty-seven percent of all hoverfly varieties in European nations were at risk of extinction.
