The buzz around biodiversity decline: Detecting pollinator shifts using a systematic review

Climate and land use change are two of the largest drivers of worldwide biodiversity loss, but detecting drivers of insect decline is more complex. Online data sources can elucidate such responses while identifying systematic data gaps. Using a systematic review, we found 119 studies that document bumble bee and butterfly responses to climate change. While bee literature was limited, there is high confidence that species are emerging earlier (similar to 17 days), mismatching with floral resources (100% of studies), and changing range distributions (-25%). More butterfly literature was available but did not yield consistent responses. Evidence shows earlier emergences (similar to 5 days), decreasing range distributions (-19%), and population shifts amongst generalist (87% increase) versus specialist (65% decrease) groups. We argue that the effect of changing climates on floral emergence, abundance, and distribution may be more significant than the impact of climate change on biodiversity; however, further research is required, particularly within the Southern Hemisphere.

Automated summary

Climate and land use change are major drivers of global biodiversity loss, but the drivers of insect decline are more complex. A systematic review of studies on bumble bees and butterflies found evidence of earlier emergence, mismatch with floral resources, and changing range distributions in response to climate change. However, the findings for butterflies were inconsistent. Further research is needed to understand the impact of changing climates on floral emergence, abundance, and distribution.