A majority of Europe's wild bee species, and around half of its hoverfly species, have declined over the past hundred years, according to a study reported by The Guardian as the UN biodiversity summit Cop17 opens in Yerevan, Armenia.
Using records dating back to 1921 and covering 88% of the continent's bee and hoverfly species, researchers found more bee species falling than rising in every part of Europe apart from the Alps. The Atlantic and Continental regions showed the most persistent losses. The scientists said sensitive species were steadily giving way to a few hardy ones.
Lead author Carlos Martínez-Núñez of the Spanish National Research Council said stable-looking species counts could mask real losses, leaving a window to act. The researchers said they did not believe widespread extinctions had happened yet. Most wild flowering plants depend partly on animal pollination.
Source: The Guardian
