Biodiversity decline highlighted at UN Cop17 summit

As diplomats gather in Armenia for the 17th UN Biodiversity Conference (Cop17), new research indicates a significant decline in European pollinator species. A study covering 88% of bee and hover fly species across the continent reveals that most wild bee species and approximately half of hover fly species have declined over the last century.

Records dating back to 1921 show that species richness has dropped persistently in the Atlantic and Continental regions of Europe, with the Alpine region being the only area where more species are increasing than declining. Scientists warn that pollinator communities are being reshaped by the loss of sensitive species and the rise of a few resilient ones, which could lead to deeper functional disruptions in ecosystems.

This decline poses risks to food security, as nearly 90% of wild flowering plants and over 75% of major food crops depend on animal pollination. The findings coincide with discussions at the summit regarding the conservation and sustainable use of the natural world.