A recent study highlights a significant decline in wild bee species across Europe, with records since 1921 indicating that more species are decreasing than increasing, except in the Alpine region. The findings coincide with the UN biodiversity summit in Armenia, emphasizing the urgent need for action to address these trends.
The decline affects not only wild bees but also hover fly species, which are crucial for pollination. The study warns that continued loss of sensitive species could disrupt ecosystems and threaten food security, as nearly 90% of wild flowering plants and over three-quarters of major crops rely on animal pollination.