Over 75% of European bumblebee species threatened in the next 40-60 years

Subject: Environment

Section: Species in news

Context:

More than 75% of European bumblebee species may be threatened in the next 40-60 years according to worst-case-scenario projections of bumblebee populations.

Study findings:

Key drivers for declining population: Degradation of habitats and alterations of climate due to human activity.
Suggestion of the report: Adhere to the global climate change mitigation policies.
Around 90% of all wild plants and most crop plants benefit from pollination by animals.
Observational data cover the periods 1901-1970 (past) and 2000-2014 (‘present day’), and projections are made up to 2080. Around 38-76% of European bumblebee species currently considered as non-threatened are projected to see their ecologically suitable territory shrink by at least 30% by 2061-2080.
Species from Arctic and alpine environments may be at the verge of extinction in Europe, with an expected loss of at least 90% of their territory in the same period.
Parts of Scandinavia may potentially become refuges for displaced or threatened species.

Bumblebee:

The bumblebee (Bombus) is a genus of bees considered to be especially important for the pollination of crops in the cold and temperate regions of the northern hemisphere.
Found primarily in higher altitudes or latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere, although they are also found in South America, where a few lowland tropical species have been identified.
European bumblebees have also been introduced to New Zealand and Tasmania.Female bumblebees can sting repeatedly, but generally ignore humans and other animals.
Most bumblebees are social insects that form colonies with a single queen.