The Museum of Natural Sciences of Barcelona has actively participated in the design of the Intersectoral Plan for the Conservation of Wild Pollinators in Catalonia (PIPOL). Berta Caballero, curator of arthropods at the Museum, is a member of the intersectoral work commission (CIT) that has contributed to the development of the Plan. This initiative, promoted by the Catalan government, seeks to reverse the decline of pollinator populations, essential for the maintenance of biodiversity and agriculture, among others.
The plan is the consequence of a 2023 diagnostic report that analyzed the worrying situation of these insects in Catalonia, affected by factors such as the intensive use of pesticides, the fragmentation of habitats and the impact of climate change. According to the data, approximately 90% of wild plants and 75% of agricultural crops depend on insect pollination, underlining their essential importance for ecological and economic stability.
PIPOL: an urgent and collaborative response
The plan is structured into 32 measures divided into six priority areas and 11 strategic objectives, such as reducing the use of pesticides, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, creating favorable habitats in urban areas and involving citizens in the preservation of pollinators. In this sense, Berta Caballero recently published an article warning of the devastating effects of the use of lambda-cyhalothrin, one of the most widely used pesticides.
The preparation of this plan began in June 2023 and has been possible thanks to the collaboration of more than 60 entities and experts in conservation through an Intersectoral Working Commission made up of public administrations, research centers, entities from the agricultural and forestry world, companies in the phytosanitary sector and conservation associations. In addition, the process has benefited from citizen involvement through the participa.gencat.cat portal and open seminars, thus reinforcing the social dimension of the initiative.