A study published in Nature indicates that more than 75% of European bumblebee species may face threats to their populations in the next 40-60 years, based on worst-case-scenario projections.
The decline in bumblebee populations is primarily attributed to the degradation of habitats and climate alterations resulting from human activities.
The study emphasizes the critical role of climate change mitigation policies in safeguarding bumblebees, as they play a vital role in pollinating wild plants and crops.
Bumblebees, belonging to the genus Bombus, are especially important for pollinating crops in cold and temperate regions of the northern hemisphere.
They are absent from most of Africa and the lowlands of India and have been introduced to Australia and New Zealand to aid in the pollination of various flowering plants.
About 19 species of Bombus and 6 species of Psithyrus occur in Great Britain.
About 50 species of Bombus, as well as some Psithyrus species, are found in North America.
Human-induced changes in natural habitats and rising temperatures are identified as key factors driving wildlife collapse, underscoring the need to understand insect population trends for effective conservation efforts.
Researchers, led by Guillaume Ghisbain from Université Libre de Bruxelles, conducted an analysis to assess the ecological suitability of Europe for bumblebees.
It was found that 38-76% of European bumblebee species currently not considered threatened could see their ecologically suitable habitats reduced by at least 30% by 2061-2080.
Species from Arctic and alpine environments are particularly at risk, with an expected loss of at least 90% of their territory in Europe during the same period.
Some parts of Scandinavia might become potential refuges for displaced or threatened bumblebee species, although the impact of human activity-driven changes in these regions remains uncertain.
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