Wildlife

Wild Bumblebee Habitat and Climate Change

Bumblebees face increasing pressure from climate change that threatens their ability to track suitable temperatures.

Key Facts

Bumblebees are sensitive to high temperatures due to their thermoregulation limitations
Species at the southern range margin are retreating northward as temperatures rise
Climate change is compressing their climate envelope faster than dispersal can compensate
Habitat loss means cooler refugia at higher elevations are often not connected or available
UK bumblebee populations have declined by 70% over the last 70 years

Welfare Considerations

Thermal stress in bumblebees causes colony failure and individual mortality when temperatures exceed critical thresholds. Colony collapse means loss of developing larvae and queens. Maintaining cool, connected habitat corridors enables range shift and reduces thermal welfare impacts at population level.

What You Can Do

Plant a diversity of native wildflowers including clovers and vetches across a long seasonal window
Create shade and moisture in gardens to provide thermal refugia during heat events
Support Bumblebee Conservation Trust habitat restoration projects
Advocate for agri-environment scheme payments for wildflower-rich grassland conservation