Europe's Wild Bee and Hover Fly Species Decline, Study Finds Ahead of UN Summit

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, coinciding with the start of a UN biodiversity summit (Cop17) in Armenia. Records dating back to 1921 reveal that more bee species are declining than increasing across all parts of Europe, with the notable exception of the Alpine region.

The study further indicates that the richness of bee and hover fly species experienced a persistent drop in the Atlantic and Continental regions, although trends observed in other European regions were mixed or even positive. The data, encompassing 88% of bee and hover fly species across the continent, suggests pollinator communities have been reshaped by the “gradual loss of sensitive species and the rise of a resilient few,” according to scientists, who warned of “deeper functional disruptions” if current trends persist.

Pollinators are critical, with nearly 90% of wild flowering plants and over three-quarters of major food crop types relying partly on animal pollination. The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has cautioned that this decline initiates a chain reaction, threatening wildlife and diminishing ecosystems' capacity to withstand climate change and environmental stress. Carlos Martínez-Núñez, an ecologist at the Spanish National Research Council and lead author, stated the findings present a “crucial opportunity to act before further declines occur,” adding that increasing species today might not remain winners as climate change and habitat loss intensify.

Ainhoa Magrach, an environmental researcher at the Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3), confirmed the study’s findings, noting that it “confirms what has long been suspected: many pollinator species are losing populations, and the decline is not affecting all of them equally.” She highlighted that while previous evidence largely came from north-western European countries like the UK, Belgium, and the Netherlands, this work demonstrates the pattern extends across the continent. The Cop17 summit in Yerevan will assess progress towards targets including protecting 30% of land and sea and restoring 30% of degraded ecosystems.

What to watch: Diplomats at Cop17 in Yerevan will assess progress on biodiversity targets.

Editor's note: Comprehensive coverage of the study and Cop17 summit details, capturing all key names and statistics.