A major study reveals Europe’s wild bee and hover fly populations have largely declined over the past century, with more species in retreat than thriving across most regions since 1921. The findings highlight sharp losses in Atlantic and Continental zones, though some areas show mixed or even improving trends. As the UN’s biodiversity summit opens, the data underscores growing concerns about insect populations amid broader ecological pressures. Researchers emphasize the Alps as the sole exception where bee species have not followed the continent-wide downward trend.
As Cop17 kicks off, records since 1921 show more bee species declining than increasing in all parts of Europe except the Alps Most of Europe’s wild bee species and about half of its hover fly species have declined over the last century, a study has found, as a UN biodiversity summit begins in Armenia.Records since 1921 show more bee species are declining than increasing in all parts of Europe except the Alpine region. The richness of bee and hover fly species suffered a persistent drop in the Atlantic and Continental regions, the study found, though trends in other regions were mixed or even positive. Continue reading...
