Pollinators—essential to global food systems, climate stability, and biodiversity—are facing intensifying threats from a convergence of human-made challenges, according to a new report by researchers at the University of Reading. The report highlights 12 emerging and under-recognized dangers confronting pollinators, including armed conflict, synthetic chemicals, microplastics, artificial light, and antibiotic residues infiltrating ecosystems.

Professor Simon Potts, lead author of the study and a prominent researcher in biodiversity and ecosystem services, emphasized the far-reaching implications. “Pollinators are central to our food systems, climate resilience and economic security,” said Potts. “Protecting pollinators means protecting ourselves.”

The report underscores a troubling reality: despite growing awareness of pollinator decline, new and complex threats continue to emerge, compounding existing environmental pressures.

A Broadening Web of Hazards

Among the most alarming findings is the impact of global conflict. Wars and military activity, the report notes, not only destroy habitats but also disrupt agricultural patterns, reducing crop diversity and depriving pollinators of critical seasonal food sources. In conflict zones, once-diverse farmlands are often replaced with monocultures or abandoned altogether, leaving bees and other pollinators with shrinking foraging grounds.

Pollution, particularly from microplastics, has also become an insidious threat. Researchers found microplastic particles in 75% of the 315 bee colonies tested across Europe. These plastics, now present in soil, water, and even inside beehives, may carry harmful chemical additives and potentially disrupt bee physiology and behavior. The long-term consequences are not yet fully understood, but early signs are deeply concerning.

Artificial light is another factor altering the delicate balance of ecosystems. The study reports that light pollution has led to a 62% decline in nocturnal flower visits by pollinators. As more natural landscapes are bathed in artificial lighting, the behavioral rhythms of insects—many of which pollinate at night—are disrupted. This reduction in pollination may have cascading effects on plant reproduction and food supply chains.

The Chemical Conundrum

Despite regulatory efforts to limit pesticide use, the report warns of the compounded toxicity of “pesticide cocktails”—mixtures of various chemicals that may interact in unpredictable ways. While individual substances may pass safety evaluations, their combined impact can be far more detrimental to insect health, impairing navigation, reproduction, and immune responses.

Adding to this chemical burden are antibiotic residues, commonly used in livestock and agriculture. These residues have now been detected in pollinator populations, with evidence suggesting behavioral changes in exposed bees. Such disruptions could compromise the stability and effectiveness of pollination services in natural and agricultural systems.

Economic and Ecological Implications

The decline of pollinators carries profound economic consequences. As natural pollination falters, farmers are increasingly reliant on labor-intensive manual pollination or the costly import of managed bee colonies. This shift places added financial strain on agricultural industries, particularly in developing nations where resources are limited.

Moreover, the ecological imbalance caused by pollinator decline threatens plant biodiversity, wildlife habitats, and the overall resilience of ecosystems to climate change. The intricate web that connects pollinators to plants, animals, and human livelihoods is beginning to fray under the pressure.

A Call to Action

The authors of the report call for comprehensive policy reforms, improved land management practices, and increased collaboration between public and private sectors. Key recommendations include expanding pollinator-friendly habitats, regulating chemical mixtures more rigorously, and limiting artificial light in critical ecosystems.

Public awareness and grassroots efforts are also essential. “This is not just a conservation issue,” said Potts. “It’s a matter of food security, climate resilience, and long-term sustainability.”

As threats multiply and interconnect, the path forward demands coordinated global action. The survival of pollinators—and by extension, humanity’s own wellbeing—depends on it.