Wild pollinators in worrying decline

Wild pollinators are suffering a “worrying decline” in the European Union (EU), but they are crucial for ecosystem health and food security.

The European Environment Agency (EEA) warned on Wednesday that wild pollinators are crucial for food production and ecosystems, but are under threat.

According to the EEA, around 40% of hoverfly species, 20% of butterflies and 9% of wild bees are threatened with extinction.

The EEA note, “Protecting and restoring Europe’s wild pollinators and their habitats”, highlights the importance of wild pollinators and says that around 80% of crop and wildflower species in the EU depend on insect pollination.

“The economic value of pollination for agriculture in the EU is estimated at at least 5 to 15 billion euros per year, with crops such as apples, tomatoes, almonds and sunflowers dependent on these services,” says the agency, quoted by Lusa news agency.

To combat the causes of decline, he adds, action is needed across all economic sectors, levels of governance and society. Monitoring the diversity and abundance of wild pollinators is also essential.

One cause of the decline is habitat loss, resulting from the intensification of agriculture and the abandonment of extensive agricultural systems. The intensive use of pesticides and invasive alien species are other causes, along with climate change and extreme weather events.

“Agricultural practices strongly influence the health of pollinator populations. The presence of different semi-natural habitats, landscape elements and diverse types of crops, typical of more extensive agricultural systems, is essential,” the note highlights.