A fifth of Europe's wood beetles at risk of extinction as ancient trees decline

Demise of the beetles, that need rotting wood to survive, could have devastating knock-on effect for other species, say scientists in a new report

Almost a fifth of Europe’s wood beetles are at risk of extinction due to a widespread decline in ancient trees, according to a new report which suggests their demise could have devastating knock-on effects for other species.

The study says 18% of saproxylic beetles – which depend on dead and decaying wood for some of their lifecycle – now exist on a conservation plane between “vulnerable” and “critically endangered”.

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from The Guardian http://ift.tt/2oJpt49