The total of non-managed bee varieties in the European continent experiencing disappearance has more than doubled over the past decade, while the total of threatened butterfly types has close to doubled.
This dire scenario for essential pollinators was unveiled by scientific studies for the IUCN red list, which determined that at least 172 bee varieties out of 1,928 were at risk of extinction in the European continent.
The total of butterfly types threatened with extinction in European nations has grown from over thirty-five to 65 since the last study, carried out 14 years ago. A single species, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been declared extinct.
“Beyond their beauty and cultural importance, pollinating species like bees along with butterflies are crucial elements for our physical condition, our food chains and our economic systems – supporting the fruits, veggies and seeds that nourish us,” stated the IUCN’s director general. “The most recent European red list assessments reveal serious challenges, with threats mounting for butterfly species and essential wild bee types.”
The reasons of the quick recent decreases are the ongoing harm or degradation of habitats caused by farming intensification and deserted farmland, wetland drainage, overgrazing by livestock, and the application of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid chemicals. The fragmentation of environments suitable for pollinators significantly raises the threat of local extinctions.
Global warming is also revealed to be a significant danger: Fifty-two percent of all threatened butterflies in European nations are threatened by the climate change crisis – roughly twofold the amount as a decade ago.
Up to 90% of flowering plants in European nations depend on animal pollination, according to Dr Denis Michez. “Regrettably, non-managed bee populations are in sharp decrease and are not easily replaceable by domesticated hives,” he said. “If wild bees disappear, many wild plants might be threatened too – of which meadows rich in flowers and attractive orchid varieties are just a few examples.”
15 varieties of bumblebee species, which play a crucial role in aiding the pollination of legumes like peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bees, known for pollinating 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 sole species of this biological genus in European nations, is now classified as critically endangered – the research category closest to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterflies that are exclusively located on mountain peaks are particularly vulnerable to climate change as they must ascend higher as their living spaces become hotter but in the end run out of space. In the southern part of Spain, the Nevada grayling and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among above 40 percent of species endemic to Europe (exclusive to Europe) at risk of extinction.
In the Mediterranean, species such as the critically endangered grayling of Karpathos are endangered by extreme dry conditions and fires.
In the meantime, in the Far North, global warming is leading to the timberline to shift northward by dozens of meters each year, with bushes encroaching on marsh 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 types of butterflies are facing extinction in this zone, including Freyja’s fritillary butterfly and the Arctic ringlet.
“The biggest living space for all these pollinating insects is grassland rich in flowers and that is declining quickly across the European continent because of all these factors,” remarked a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The good news is that so many people are concerned now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the EU’s nature restoration regulation, all member states have to reverse the decrease in pollinating species by twenty-thirty, and they are going to have to start doing something. There are landowners who are interested. It is hoped they can obtain the motivations that will support them on their way.”
According to the coordinator, there is “readily achievable actions” in terms of action for pollinating species which won’t reduce crop yields – and might boost it – such as farmers developing margins rich in flowers around their cultivated areas.
EU commissioner for environment, portrayed the preservation condition of non-managed bees, butterfly species and other pollinating insects as “severe”.
“Urgent and collective action is required to tackle this danger. Together with member states, the European Commission has established an Europe-wide observation system for pollinating insects based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will aid in following our advancement. Now, we need to focus on implementation and cooperation with member states to preserve our pollinating insects,” she said.
The publication of the bee and butterfly assessments comes after the initial Europe-wide assessment of hoverflies, a further crucial group of pollinators. Published in 2022, it revealed that 37% of all hoverfly species in Europe were facing extinction.
