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Pollinators, especially insects, are essential organisms for the proper functioning of ecosystems and for the pollination of crops. In turn, pollination is an ecosystem service (i.e., a natural process from which humans benefit, economic or otherwise) that is essential for the conservation of biodiversity, the functioning of ecosystems, and agricultural production.

According to ANSE, it is estimated that about 70% of wild plants depend on pollinators for reproduction, and a large number of crops need or benefit from pollinator activity. It is also estimated that pollinators affect approximately 35% of the world’s agricultural production. However, their populations have experienced a global decline in abundance and diversity in recent years. This is largely due to human pressure, habitat fragmentation and the use of pesticides in agricultural activity, and could have drastic consequences on other species and on agricultural production. In addition, climate change threatens this biological group and the ecosystem services it provides: changes in temperatures and rainfall will produce variations in the distribution areas of insect species and plants with which pollinator populations interact. In addition, there will be mismatches between plant phenology and pollinator activity, which can have serious global consequences.

Faced with this situation, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) defends the conservation and sustainable use of pollinators, proposing the restoration of corridors to increase the connectivity of habitats favorable to pollinators and support the dispersal of species and gene flow as an adaptation to climate change.

In this context, this project arose with the aim of improving the availability, quality and spatial connectivity of the habitat for pollinators as a measure of adaptation to climate change in the Iberian Southeast (specifically Murcia and Alicante), an area that has one of the highest rates of bee diversity and endemism in Europe. This initiative seeks to implement measures proposed by both the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) for the adaptation of this group to climate change, both in agricultural and urban environments. During this process, the involvement of society, administrations and productive sectors that depend directly on pollination, i.e. farmers and beekeepers, has also been sought.

The overall objective of the project has been to improve the availability, quality and connectivity of habitats for natural and domestic pollinators as an adaptation to climate change.

The specific objectives were as follows:

• To improve the conservation status of natural pollinator populations and the ecosystem services they offer, and to maintain agricultural productivity, food security and quality of agri-food products.
• Promote social involvement in the conservation of pollinators, involving the economic sector of agriculture, the public and private sectors (town councils, neighbourhood associations, cooperatives and agricultural associations) and the general population in the conservation of pollinators.
• Expand knowledge about pollinators and agricultural ecosystem services.

• Restoration or establishment of corridors in agricultural areas, as well as feeding patches (for pollinator foraging) in unfavourable seasons through the establishment of long-flowering vegetation. In addition, the creation of islands and vegetation corridors was carried out through the realization of plantations on agricultural margins and around apiaries to improve the availability, quality and spatial connectivity for pollinators in the provinces of Alicante, Murcia and Almeria.
• Establishment of a network of gardens for pollinators against climate change in urban areas (pollinator gardens), municipal infrastructures and areas near urban gardens. The creation of patches of natural vegetation for the shelter, feeding and dispersal of pollinators in urban environments of the provinces of Murcia and Alicante was also carried out.
• Implementation of Land Stewardship agreements to ensure the conservation of pollinator spaces and establishment of a Network of Municipalities for their adaptation to climate change, with the participation of agricultural and local entities, farmers, beekeepers and Public Administrations.
• Carrying out information, dissemination and communication actions, environmental education and volunteering sessions for schoolchildren, organisations and the general population, aimed at involving society in the adaptation of pollinators to climate change.

Globally, the entity has observed a decline in pollinating insect populations. Among the main causes are changes in land use (mainly agricultural activity), the use of agrochemicals and climate change. Other related problems are the introduction of invasive alien species (which in many cases carry parasites and diseases) and the inadequate management of domestic pollinators (honey bees and bumblebees).

In this sense, the project has established vegetation corridors with 21 different species in agricultural areas and in the surroundings of apiaries, with the aim of improving the availability, quality and spatial connectivity of habitats and increasing food resources for pollinators. On the other hand, a network of gardens has been established in urban areas, municipal infrastructures and urban garden environments where patches of natural vegetation have been created for the shelter, feeding and dispersal of pollinators in urban environments. In addition, places have been installed to promote the nesting of bees, both in dead wood logs and in bundles of reeds.

Specifically, and as main milestones, the installation of more than 150 nests installed for the nesting of solitary bees, more than 56,000 seedlings to improve floral resources for pollinators, 60 plantations on farms and 13 green areas adapted to the needs of pollinators stand out.

On the other hand, the actions of the project are based on the promotion of Land Stewardship and the establishment of a Network of Municipalities for the adaptation of pollinators to climate change, to which 10 municipalities joined.

Likewise, information, dissemination and communication, education and volunteering actions have been carried out for schoolchildren, entities and the general population. Likewise, the involvement of various sectors of society in the conservation of pollinators has been achieved, achieving a high participation of the agricultural sector through companies and cooperatives, as well as civil society. Interventions in infrastructure, green areas and educational centres indicate the potential of humanised areas for the conservation of pollinators. In total, 19 volunteer activities were carried out with 280 participants and 97 environmental education sessions were carried out with the participation of almost 2,300 students. In addition, 21 schools and 7 urban gardens adopted the proposed conservation measures.

Finally, in October 2021, ANSE published a manual of measures for the adaptation of pollinator populations to climate change in gardens and agricultural areas, which includes ideas, proposals and examples of projects for their conservation.