The number of wild bee varieties in Europe facing disappearance has more than doubled in the last ten years, and the total of at-risk butterfly types has almost doubled.
This pressing issue for vital pollinating insects was disclosed by research studies for the IUCN red list, which determined that at least 172 bee varieties out of nearly two thousand were at risk of extinction in the European continent.
The total of butterfly species at risk of extinction in the European continent has risen from 37 to sixty-five 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 beauty and cultural value, pollinating species like bees along with butterflies are crucial elements for our well-being, our food supplies and our economies – supporting the fruits, veggies and seeds that feed us,” commented the IUCN director general. “The newest European red list evaluations reveal significant difficulties, with dangers mounting for butterfly species and crucial non-managed bee types.”
The reasons of the quick recent decreases are the ongoing damage or destruction of living environments caused by intensive agriculture and deserted farmland, wetland drainage, overgrazing by livestock, and the application of pesticides and fertilisers including neonicotinoids. The breaking up of environments suitable for pollinators substantially boosts the danger of extinctions at local level.
Global heating is also demonstrated to be a significant danger: 52% of all endangered butterfly species in European nations are threatened by the climate crisis – about double the number as a previous decade.
Up to ninety percent of plants that flower in Europe rely on pollination by animals, as per Dr Denis Michez. “Sadly, non-managed bee groups are in severe drop and cannot be easily replaced by domesticated hives,” he said. “If native bees vanish, many non-cultivated plants might be at risk too – of which flower-rich meadows and lovely orchid types are just a handful of illustrations.”
Fifteen types of bumblebees, which have an essential part in fertilizing peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and fourteen varieties of cellophane bees, recognized for fertilizing trees such as willows and red maples, are now listed as threatened. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type found only in the continent and the only species of this biological genus in the European continent, is now evaluated as critically at risk – the scientific classification most akin to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterfly types that are exclusively located on high-altitude areas are especially at risk to global heating as they must ascend higher as their living spaces become more heated but ultimately have no room left. In Spain’s southern region, the grayling of Nevada and the Andalusian anomalous blue are among above 40 percent of types unique to Europe (exclusive to Europe) threatened with extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, types such as the critically endangered Karpathos grayling are threatened by intense dry conditions and fires.
At the same time, in the Far North, climate change is leading to the forest boundary to shift northward by many meters each year, with scrub invading wetlands and tundra. Higher temperatures also mean Arctic deer can no more cross the ice to browse Arctic meadows and prevent them from overgrowing. 8 butterfly varieties are facing extinction in this area, including Freyja’s fritillary and the Arctic ringlet.
“The biggest environment for all these pollinating species is grassland rich in flowers and that is disappearing very fast in European nations because of all these reasons,” said a lead coordinator for the butterfly assessment. “The good news is that so many people are aware now and there’s a lot more understanding. Under the EU nature restoration legislation, all member states have to halt the decrease in pollinators by the year 2030, and they are going to have to start doing something. There are property owners who are interested. It is hoped they can get the incentives that will help them on their way.”
As stated by the coordinator, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of measures for pollinators which won’t reduce agricultural output – and may enhance it – such as farmers establishing margins rich in flowers around their fields.
EU commissioner for environment, portrayed the conservation status of non-managed bees, butterfly species and other pollinating insects as “severe”.
“Urgent and collective action is needed to address this threat. Along with participating nations, the EU Commission has established an Europe-wide observation system for pollinators based on the EU nature restoration law, which will assist in monitoring our development. Now, we need to prioritize implementation and collaboration with member countries to preserve our pollinating species,” she said.
The publication of the bee and butterfly assessments follows the first Europe-wide assessment of hoverflies, a further essential pollinator group. Published in 2022, it revealed that thirty-seven percent of all hoverfly varieties in European nations were facing extinction.
