Research
Almost all of Europe’s wild bee species still exist, but their shrinking habitats tell a much darker story
Earth.com · By Eric Ralls ·
The Brief
- Records show that almost every European wild bee species seen in the last century is still alive somewhere today.
- Mapping where these bees currently live shows that most species have lost range.
- Shrinking habitats are the main concern raised by the reporting.
Why it matters
Species surviving somewhere does not mean they are secure, because a shrinking range leaves populations more fragile. Science readers working on pollinators or biodiversity monitoring should look at range data, not only presence records.
Who’s affected
- conservation researchers studying pollinators
- land managers and policymakers concerned with European biodiversity
At first glance, the survival of Europe’s wild bees looks like a success story. Records show that almost every bee species seen in the last century is still alive somewhere today. However, when scientists map out exactly where these bees are actually living, it becomes clear that…