A recent study published by NatureServe delivers a critical insight for businesses tied to agriculture, land management, and sustainability initiatives: over 22% of North America’s native pollinator species are now facing elevated extinction risks. The research spans nearly 1,600 species—including bees, beetles, and butterflies—signaling a growing vulnerability within the continent’s ecological and economic infrastructure.
Particularly concerning are native bee populations, where 34.7% of species studied are experiencing significant population declines. While western honey bees remain dominant in managed pollination services, experts caution against overdependence on a single species. A lack of pollinator diversity exposes agricultural operations to systemic risk—akin to putting all investments into one volatile asset.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of C3.
