Conserving Our Pollinator Heritage and Services Matt Shardlow CEO
Transcript of Conserving Our Pollinator Heritage and Services Matt Shardlow CEO
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Conserving Our Pollinator Heritage and ServicesMatt Shardlow CEO
Conserving Our Pollinator Heritage and Services
1) Why pollination is important2) Why is action needed3) What we need to do to save pollinators
How important is insect pollination?
One out of every 3 mouthfuls
90% of world’s crop species
In UK worth £510m p.a. or 13% of UK agricultural revenue .
£13 billion across EU
80% of British wild plants
Butterfly Trends
71% of British butterfly species are in decline
EU grassland species down by 70% 1990‐2009
Pollination in Europe (ALARM data)
62% of wildflowers are pollen transmission limited
Insect pollinated plants are declining faster than wind and water pollinated plants (cause or effect?)
England's green and unpleasant fields
3,000,000 ha of flower rich grassland lost since the second world war, only 100,000 ha remain.
Agri‐environment schemes ‐ 6,500 ha of ‘insect habitats’
Only 0.3% recreated!
Pollination in the mediaPesticide linked to bee deaths should be suspended, MPs told
By Michael McCarthy, Environment Editor and Josephine ForsterWednesday, 26 January 2011
Recovering wild flower meadows
Lawton, J.H., Brotherton, P.N.M., Brown, V.K., Elphick, C., Fitter, A.H., Forshaw, J., Haddow, R.W., Hilborne, S., Leafe, R.N., Mace, G.M., Southgate, M.P., Sutherland, W.J.,Tew, T.E., Varley, J., & Wynne, G.R. (2010) Making Space for Nature: a review of England’s wildlife sites and ecological network. Report to Defra
Hodgson JA, Thomas CD, Cinderby S, Cambridge H, Evans P, et al. (2011) Habitat re‐creation strategies for promoting adaptation of species to climate change. Conservation Letters 4: 289–297
Nemesio, A; Silveira, Fa, 2006: Edge effects on the orchid‐bee fauna Hymenoptera: Apidae at a large remnant of Atlantic Rain Forest in southeastern Brazil. Neotropical entomology e 35(3): 313‐326
B-lines
Field scale 300m wide and 5,000 km long
Create or secure 150,700 ha of wildflower rich grassland
Directly supplement pollination over >2 million ha
Contribute to safeguarding £510 million value of pollination
Issue/Initiative Undelivered coalition agreement commitment ‐Measure to promote wildlife corridors to restore biodiversity; Addresses pollinator declines – nesting as well as nectar Addresses loss of wild flowers Helps fix State of Nature Contributes to climate change adaptation Can be delivered by offsetting Can be a tangible outcome of a shift from Pillar 1 to Pillar 2 Local Authority led and agreed Industry on board (Co‐op) Principle proven (Yorkshire mapped and North of England soon to have a network map, 10 farmers making meadows) The public get it! Examples ready to spotlight
B-lines
NeonicotinoidsCreates toxic dust when coated seeds planted and then enter pollen and nectar, also persistent in soil and wash into rivers and ponds.Lab studies show sublethal effects – e.g. impaired navigation and reduced fecundity at contamination levels found in the field.94% of published studies show higher environmental risk than risk assessment by pesticide companies during authorisation process.High risk to Honeybees proven, probably a higher risk to wild pollinators.
NeonicotinoidsEU partial ban next year, but does not prevent soil accumulation and still potential sowing when pollinators active – two pesticides not included.Current pesticide assessment process not fit for purpose – not transparent, weak science and range of wild pollinators not assessed. Other pesticides may also not be safe.
In Conclusion
Pollinator decline is a result of our activities
Public understand ethical responsibility to nature and future generations
We can all take action to reverse declines
Fixing pollinator services in the UK
Improved Insecticide Regulation
More local actionin parks, gardens and
roadsides
Focussed Agri‐Environment spending
esp. B‐Lines
Increasing Public Awareness and Support for Action
Saved Pollination Services
UK and EU Government Action
Local Government Action