A major new study has found that our bees, butterflies, and other essential insects simply don't have enough natural habitat left to survive. According to the research, published in the top international journal Science, the current nature targets set out by the European Union are miles too low for a proper pollinator recovery.
The study makes it clear that we need to stop thinking about just the amount of space and start seriously considering the quality of it as well.
The Lowdown: Insects Need More Than a Tiny Patch
Insects are crucial for pollinating both the food we eat and the wild plants that keep our ecosystems healthy, but their numbers have been tanking for years.
The EU's plan—the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030—aims to bring back nature to 10% of agricultural land. While things like better-managed hedges, small woods, and good quality grasslands are certainly helpful, the new analysis suggests this 10% target is completely inadequate.
The researchers, who analysed nearly 60 studies from across the globe, found that for effective protection, these insects actually need a whopping 16% to 37% habitat coverage in farming areas.
Quantity and Quality are Key
The team looked at how the size and condition of natural areas affected wild bees, bumblebees, hoverflies, and butterflies. The message was simple: more natural habitat equals more pollinators on the farm.
Gabriella Bishop, the lead author from Wageningen University & Research, said: "It's better to focus on increasing the sheer area of natural habitats first, instead of just sprucing up small patches, even if those patches are full of flowers."
Short-Term Fixes Aren't Cutting It
A lot of current conservation work across Europe focuses on small, temporary measures on working land, things like planting flower strips next to crops. While this might give insect numbers a short-term boost, the new research shows we need much more substantial habitat and that any new areas created must be maintained in the long term.
Policy Matters for Ireland
With the EU's recently adopted Nature Restoration Regulation, member states (including us) are now drawing up concrete plans to halt the decline of biodiversity. This study has immediate relevance, particularly on the island of Ireland.
Professor Jane Stout, Vice President for Biodiversity and Climate Action at Trinity College Dublin and a co-author on the study, outlined the situation here:
"Around 13% of Ireland is technically protected under EU nature law, but the majority of those habitats aren't in good nick. With about 64% of our land being farmed, and most of that quite intensively, we are likely falling well short of the 16–37% the new work suggests is viable, especially in the more heavily farmed regions."
"Crucially, it’s not just about the land area measurements; the most vital thing is the quality of any habitat and how different patches link up," she added. "There is huge potential in our uplands for nature restoration, and elsewhere for things like regenerative farming, plus micro-interventions such as new ponds, hedgerows, and species-rich grasslands, which all add up."
The Professor stressed: “It's not about stopping farming to protect land for nature, but farming in a way that allows nature to also thrive.” Farmers need proper financial and practical support to make this happen.
Looking Beyond the Farm Gate
The researchers also point out that it's not just farmland that needs attention; pollinators in urban areas and other private lands need good quality habitat too. This is exactly what efforts like the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan are trying to address.
Professor Stout concluded: "Another important and sometimes overlooked point is that here in the Irish context, it’s not all about pollinating crops. We need these insects for most of our wild plants as well, and those plants are the building blocks for healthy ecosystems. They underpin our agriculture, contribute to climate action, and are vital for our own health and culture."
She issued a final warning: “Objective targets are important, but we must not fall into the trap of just aiming for the lowest tick-box target when it comes to supporting land for nature. We should be going above and beyond.”
"Thirty per cent of Irish bee species are at risk of extinction, which is around three times higher than the EU average. That’s a serious red flag."