Status and trends of European pollinators. Key findings of the STEP project
2015
Potts, S. | Biesmeijer, K. | Bommarco, R. | Kleijn, D. | Scheper, J.A.
Natural Capital, and the ecosystem services derived from it, are essential to human well-be-ing and economic prosperity. Indeed, nature inspires and provides many solutions that can help us tackle some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For example, pollinators matter because a majority of European crops depend or benet from insect pollination. Another example is the contribution of pollinators to preserving cherished natural and cultural landscapes through wildower pollination. However, due to a cocktail mix of drivers of change, pollinator species are disappearing and pollinator populations are declining. ese losses accentuate several of our societal chal-lenges, including food security and ecosystem degradation. Hence, building knowledge on the causes behind pollinator decline, and the eects of pollinator decline on other species and ecosystems is essential. e STEP project has contributed signicantly within this eld, with a particular focus on the status and drivers behind trends in European pollinators.Furthermore, research into the dierent solutions for maintaining or enhancing pollinator populations is crucial. ese activities enrich the knowledge base on Nature-based solu-tions, solutions that are inspired by or supported by nature and address societal challenges while maintaining or enhancing our natural capital. Overall, research and innovation ac-tions such as those successfully supported by the STEP project, contribute to greening the economy and making development sustainable.
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