‘Crucial opportunity to act’ as study finds most of Europe’s wild bee species in decline

As the UN biodiversity summit kicks off in Armenia, a new study reveals that most of Europe’s wild bee species, along with about half of its hover fly species, have been in decline over the past century. Records dating back to 1921 indicate that more bee species are declining than increasing across all parts of Europe, with the exception of the Alpine region.

The study highlights a persistent drop in the richness of bee and hover fly species, particularly in the Atlantic and Continental regions. While trends in other regions show mixed or even positive results, the overall data, which encompasses 88% of bee and hover fly species on the continent, suggests a significant reshaping of pollinator communities. Scientists noted a gradual loss of sensitive species and the rise of a few resilient ones, warning of potential "deeper functional disruptions" if current trends are not addressed.

Nearly 90% of wild flowering plants and over 75% of major food crop types rely on animal pollination. The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization has cautioned that the decline of pollinators triggers a chain reaction that threatens wildlife and undermines ecosystems' ability to cope with climate change and environmental stress.