Across Europe, a wide range of species is facing unprecedented challenges as highlighted by the recent IUCN Red List assessments funded by the European Commission. These evaluations, the first since the early 2010s for many species groups, cover bees, butterflies, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, freshwater fishes, molluscs, and more.
“Beyond their beauty and cultural significance, pollinators like bees and butterflies are lifelines for our health, our food systems and our economies – sustaining the fruits, vegetables and seeds that nourish us. In fact, four out of five crop and wildflower species in the EU rely on insect pollination. The latest European Red List assessments reveal serious challenges, with threats mounting for butterflies and crucial wild bee species. Yet this knowledge is powerful: by highlighting the pressures species face, the Red List also helps us chart the path forward. It provides the data needed to drive urgent conservation action, guide recovery efforts and support European countries in delivering on the Global Biodiversity Framework targets. While the challenges are real, this work illuminates the solutions – helping us secure a thriving future for people and nature alike,” said Dr Grethel Aguilar, IUCN Director General.
“The new assessment shows that the conservation status of European wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators is dire. These are the foundation for our food systems, our ecosystems and our societies. Urgent and collective action is needed to tackle this threat. Together with Member States, the European Commission has put in place an EU-wide monitoring system for pollinators based on the EU Nature Restoration Regulation, which will help to track our progress. Now, we need to focus on implementation and cooperation with Member States to protect our pollinators,” said Jessika Roswall, EU Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy.
Increasing Concerns for Wild Bees and Butterflies
Among the alarming findings, around 10% of Europe’s wild bee species, equating to 172 out of 1,928 assessed, are now threatened with extinction, a significant increase from previous assessments. Bumblebees and cellophane bees, essential for pollination, are particularly at risk, with species like the mining bee Simpanurgus phyllopodus now critically endangered.
Butterflies are also facing peril, with 15% of species in Europe at risk, a significant increase from previous reports. Notably, the Madeiran large white (Pieris wollastoni) has been declared extinct, underscoring the urgent need for conservation efforts.
Main Threats: Agriculture, Pollution, and Climate Change
The conversion of traditional rural landscapes into agricultural and forestry areas is a primary threat to pollinators. The use of pesticides and nitrogen-based fertilizers further exacerbates the problem, diminishing habitats vital for their survival. The effects of climate change are particularly harmful, affecting over half of the threatened butterfly species and presenting mixed outcomes for bees, depending on the species.
“Up to 90% of flowering plants in Europe depend on animal pollination, especially on bees, which are very diverse in their number and variety of species. Sadly, wild bee populations are in drastic decline and cannot be easily replaced by managed colonies, which comprise less than 1% of the existing species and are selected for their ability to produce honey or pollinate crops. If wild bees disappear, many wild plants might be at risk too – of which flower-rich meadows and beautiful orchid species are just a few examples,” stated Dr Denis Michez, Professor at the University of Mons and lead coordinator of the European wild bees assessment.
Dr Martin Warren, former CEO of Butterfly Conservation and lead coordinator of the European butterflies assessment, emphasized: “Many European butterflies are threatened by habitat changes due to rising temperatures. However, by ensuring their habitats are managed as well as possible and populations are large and robust, they stand a chance. Others can be saved from extinction by preventing wildfires, which can obliterate habitats for years.”
These assessments align with the objectives of the EU’s New Deal for Pollinators, providing critical insights into the conservation efforts needed to meet the targets of the Nature Restoration Regulation. The assessments follow the first Europe-wide assessment of hoverflies, a key pollinator group, highlighting that 37% of hoverfly species in Europe face extinction threats.
Original Story at iucn.org