A new conservation programme aimed at protecting the moss carder bumblebee, one of the United Kingdom’s rarest pollinators, will concentrate its efforts on three regions: Cornwall, Kent and the North Pennines.
The moss carder (Bombus muscorum) has suffered steep declines across its historic range, with habitat loss and changes in land use identified as key drivers of its rarity. It is now listed as a priority species for conservation in the UK.
The initiative will focus on the three designated areas to implement measures intended to bolster the bumblebee’s populations. While specific actions have not been detailed, the programme’s geographic focus reflects the presence of suitable upland and heathland habitats that the species relies on.
Cornwall, Kent and the North Pennines each host remnants of the moss‑rich environments that the carder bumblebee needs for nesting and foraging. Targeting these locations aims to create a network of protected sites that can support the species’ recovery.
The launch of the programme adds to a broader push to safeguard pollinators in Britain, complementing existing efforts to improve flower-rich habitats and reduce pesticide pressures on vulnerable insects.
<small>Source: BBC Science — read the original story there.</small>
