The number of non-managed bee species in the European continent confronting dying out has more than doubled during the previous ten-year period, while the number of threatened butterfly has nearly doubled.
This dire scenario for crucial pollinators was disclosed by research studies for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, which found that at least 172 bee varieties out of over 1900 were facing extinction in the European continent.
The count of butterfly species facing extinction in the European continent has increased from over thirty-five to 65 since the last study, carried out over a decade past. One type, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has now been classified as extinct.
“Beyond their visual charm and cultural value, pollinating species like bees and butterfly species are lifelines for our health, our food chains and our economies – sustaining the produce, vegetables and seeds that feed us,” said Grethel Aguilar. “The latest assessments of the European red list reveal serious challenges, with threats mounting for butterfly species and essential non-managed bee varieties.”
The reasons of the rapid recent declines are the ongoing damage or destruction of habitats caused by intensive agriculture and land abandonment, draining wetlands, overgrazing by livestock, and the application of fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoids. The breaking up of pollinator-friendly habitat substantially boosts the risk of local extinctions.
Global heating is also shown to be a significant danger: Fifty-two percent of all at-risk butterfly types in European nations are endangered by the climate change crisis – roughly twice as many as a previous decade.
As many as nine out of ten of plants that flower in the European continent require pollination by animals, as per Dr Denis Michez. “Regrettably, non-managed bee populations are in drastic decline and cannot be easily replaced by managed colonies,” he said. “If wild bees die out, many native plants might be at risk too – of which flower-rich meadows and beautiful orchid species are just a few examples.”
15 varieties of bumblebee species, which have an essential part in pollinating crops such as peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 species of cellophane bee species, famous for aiding tree pollination such as willows and red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type found only in the continent and the sole species of this genus in the European continent, is now assessed as critically endangered – the research category closest to extinction in the wild.
Butterflies that are solely present on mountain peaks are especially at risk to climate change as they have to climb upward as their environments become more heated but ultimately have no room left. In southern Spain, the Nevada grayling and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among above 40 percent of European endemics (only found in Europe) facing extinction.
In the Mediterranean region, types such as the severely threatened Karpathos grayling are imperilled by severe dry conditions and fires.
In the meantime, in the Arctic Circle, climate change is causing the timberline to advance northwards by dozens of meters each year, with bushes taking over wetlands and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean reindeer can no longer cross the frozen water to feed on Arctic meadows and prevent them from overgrowing. 8 butterfly varieties are facing extinction in this zone, including the fritillary of Freyja and the ringlet of the Arctic.
“The greatest habitat for all these pollinators is bloom-filled grassy areas and that is declining quickly across Europe because of all these elements,” said one of the lead coordinators of the butterflies assessment. “The encouraging aspect is that so many citizens are aware now and there’s a lot more consciousness. Under the EU’s nature restoration regulation, all member states have to halt the decrease in pollinating insects by twenty-thirty, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are land holders who are interested. It is hoped they can obtain the motivations that will support them on their way.”
As stated by the coordinator, there is “easy opportunities” in terms of steps for pollinating species which will not decrease agricultural output – and may enhance it – such as farmers establishing bloom-filled edges around their cultivated areas.
the EU’s environment commissioner, portrayed the conservation status of non-managed bees, butterfly species and other pollinating insects as “dire”.
“Urgent and collective action is required to address this threat. In collaboration with member countries, the Commission of the European Union has implemented an European Union-wide observation system for pollinators based on the European Union nature restoration legislation, which will help to track our advancement. Now, we need to focus on implementation and cooperation with member countries to safeguard our pollinating species,” she said.
The issuance of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies is subsequent to the first Europe-wide assessment of hoverflies, a further essential pollinator group. Issued in twenty-twenty-two, it disclosed that thirty-seven percent of all hoverfly species in the European continent were threatened with extinction.
