The total of native bee types in the European continent experiencing extinction has more than doubled in the last ten years, and the total of at-risk butterfly types has close to doubled.
This dire scenario for essential pollinating species was unveiled by research studies for the red list of threatened species, which found that at least 172 bee varieties out of over 1900 were facing extinction in the European continent.
The number of butterfly species at risk of extinction in European nations has grown from 37 to 65 since the earlier research, conducted over a decade past. 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 butterfly species are essential supports for our physical condition, our food chains and our economies – maintaining the produce, vegetables and seeds that sustain us,” stated the IUCN’s director general. “The most recent assessments of the European red list reveal major obstacles, with threats increasing for butterfly species and vital native bee species.”
The causes of the swift recent drops are the persistent damage or destruction of living environments caused by farming intensification and deserted farmland, draining wetlands, livestock overgrazing, and the application of chemical fertilisers and pesticides including neonicotinoid chemicals. The fragmentation of pollinator-friendly habitat significantly raises the threat of extinctions at local level.
Global warming is also shown to be a significant danger: Over half of all at-risk butterfly species in Europe are imperilled by the climate crisis – approximately double the number as a previous decade.
Up to 90% of plants that flower in European nations require pollination by animals, as stated by the lead coordinator of the wild bee assessment. “Sadly, non-managed bee populations are in severe drop and are not easily replaceable by domesticated hives,” he said. “If native bees vanish, many wild plants might be threatened too – of which flower-rich meadows and beautiful orchid species are just a handful of illustrations.”
Fifteen species of bumblebee types, which play a crucial role in pollinating crops such as peas, beans, peanuts and clover, and 14 types of cellophane bees, recognized for fertilizing trees such as willow trees and red maples, are now categorized as at-risk. Simpanurgus phyllopodus, a mining bee type unique to the continent and the single type of this biological genus in the European continent, is now classified as critically endangered – the research category nearest to dying out in natural habitats.
Butterfly types that are solely present on mountain tops are particularly vulnerable to climate change as they have to climb upward as their habitats become hotter but ultimately have no room left. In Spain’s southern region, the Nevada grayling butterfly and the Andalusian anomalous blue butterfly are among more than 40% of types unique to Europe (solely present in Europe) at risk of extinction.
In the Mediterranean area, varieties such as the severely threatened Karpathos grayling butterfly are endangered by extreme dry conditions and fires.
Meanwhile, in the Arctic Circle, global heating is leading to the forest boundary to move north by tens of metres each year, with bushes taking over wetlands and tundra. Warmer conditions also mean Arctic deer can not anymore cross the frozen water to browse northern grasslands and prevent them from overgrowing. Eight butterfly species are at risk of extinction in this region, including the fritillary of Freyja and the Arctic ringlet.
“The largest environment for all these pollinators is flower-rich grassland and that is disappearing very fast throughout the European continent because of all these elements,” remarked Martin Warren. “The positive thing is that so many individuals care now and there’s a lot more understanding. Under the European Union nature restoration law, all participating nations have to halt the decline in pollinators by 2030, and they are going to have to initiate measures. There are property owners who are involved. We hope they can get the motivations that will help them on their way.”
As stated by Warren, there is “low-hanging fruit” in terms of steps for pollinators which won’t reduce crop yields – and may enhance it – such as growers developing bloom-filled edges around their cultivated areas.
EU commissioner for environment, portrayed the preservation condition of native bees, butterflies and additional pollinators as “dire”.
“Immediate and joint measures is required to address this risk. In collaboration with member countries, the European Commission has put in place an European Union-wide observation system for pollinating species based on the EU nature restoration regulation, which will assist in monitoring our progress. Now, we need to focus on execution and collaboration with member countries to preserve our pollinators,” she said.
The release of the evaluations of bees along with butterflies follows the first Europe-wide assessment of hoverflies, a further essential group of pollinators. Published in 2022, it disclosed that 37% of all hoverfly species in the European continent were threatened with extinction.
