Status and trends of European pollinators. Key findings of the STEP project

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 benet from insect pollination.
Another example is the contribution of pollinators to preserving cherished natural and
cultural landscapes through wildower 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 eects of pollinator decline on other species
and ecosystems is essential. e STEP project has contributed signicantly within this eld,
with a particular focus on the status and drivers behind trends in European pollinators.
Furthermore, research into the dierent 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.