Horizon scanning for European wild pollinators identifies world-leading legislation as a key opportunity for pollinators
Abstract
Wild insect pollinators contribute significantly to agricultural productivity, biodiversity, and ecosystem functioning. Wild pollinators are increasingly affected by multiple interacting stressors. Proactively identifying emerging risks and feasible mitigation strategies will be critical to ensuring the long-term stability of wild pollinators biodiversity and pollination services. We conducted the first continental scale horizon scan focused on wild pollinators in Europe. A structured Delphi-based approach was used to identify emerging issues that may have significant implications for wild pollinators over the coming decade. Ten priority issues were identified, including both potential risks and opportunities. For the first time in a pollinator-focused horizon scan, legislation was identified as a key opportunity, with the European Union Nature Restoration Regulation recognised for its potential to influence pollinator conservation through mandatory restoration and monitoring targets. In contrast, political developments such as the rise of populist parties and post-truth discourse may impede policy implementation. Several issues relating to pesticide use were also identified, including developments in RNA interference technologies and precision application methods, which may reduce non-target impacts if risks are appropriately assessed. These findings provide a foundation for further research and policy evaluation in support of pollinator conservation under changing environmental and political conditions.
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BibTeX
@article{morrison2026horizon,
title = {{Horizon scanning for European wild pollinators identifies world-leading legislation as a key opportunity for pollinators}},
author = {Morgan Morrison and Anne Alix and Ignasi Bartomeus and Imre Demeter and Ciara Dwyer and Úna Fitzpatrick and Elena Gazzea and Costanza Geppert and Marina Janković Milosavljević and Reet Karise and David Kleijn and Zdravko Kolev and Simon Potts and Deepa Senapathi and Oliver Schweiger and Adam Vanbergen and Mark Brown},
journal = {Scientific Reports},
year = {2026},
month = may,
doi = {10.1038/s41598-026-53025-1},
url = {https://hal.inrae.fr/hal-05771400v1},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Horizon scanning for European wild pollinators identifies world-leading legislation as a key opportunity for pollinators
AU - Morgan Morrison
AU - Anne Alix
AU - Ignasi Bartomeus
AU - Imre Demeter
AU - Ciara Dwyer
AU - Úna Fitzpatrick
AU - Elena Gazzea
AU - Costanza Geppert
AU - Marina Janković Milosavljević
AU - Reet Karise
AU - David Kleijn
AU - Zdravko Kolev
AU - Simon Potts
AU - Deepa Senapathi
AU - Oliver Schweiger
AU - Adam Vanbergen
AU - Mark Brown
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/05/15
JO - Scientific Reports
DO - 10.1038/s41598-026-53025-1
UR - https://hal.inrae.fr/hal-05771400v1
AB - Wild insect pollinators contribute significantly to agricultural productivity, biodiversity, and ecosystem functioning. Wild pollinators are increasingly affected by multiple interacting stressors. Proactively identifying emerging risks and feasible mitigation strategies will be critical to ensuring the long-term stability of wild pollinators biodiversity and pollination services. We conducted the first continental scale horizon scan focused on wild pollinators in Europe. A structured Delphi-based approach was used to identify emerging issues that may have significant implications for wild pollinators over the coming decade. Ten priority issues were identified, including both potential risks and opportunities. For the first time in a pollinator-focused horizon scan, legislation was identified as a key opportunity, with the European Union Nature Restoration Regulation recognised for its potential to influence pollinator conservation through mandatory restoration and monitoring targets. In contrast, political developments such as the rise of populist parties and post-truth discourse may impede policy implementation. Several issues relating to pesticide use were also identified, including developments in RNA interference technologies and precision application methods, which may reduce non-target impacts if risks are appropriately assessed. These findings provide a foundation for further research and policy evaluation in support of pollinator conservation under changing environmental and political conditions.
SN - 2045-2322
ER -