Threats to Nature's Contributions to People Provided by Terrestrial Vertebrates Across Europe

O'Connor, L.M.J., Cosentino, F., Demarquet, S., Gaüzère, P., Hackbarth, T.X., Maiorano, L., Mancino, C., Renaud, J., Si‐Moussi, S., Verburg, P.H., & Thuiller, W. (2026). Threats to Nature's Contributions to People Provided by Terrestrial Vertebrates Across Europe. Diversity and Distributions 32 (7) e70210. 10.1111/ddi.70210.

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Abstract

Aim
Species and ecosystem processes provide essential benefits to people, known as Nature's Contributions to People (NCP). However, we still lack a comprehensive understanding of NCP provided by terrestrial vertebrates on a macroecological scale, and of the threats they face. To address this, we built a comprehensive dataset that documents the NCP provided by terrestrial vertebrate species in Europe, and analysed the conservation status and threats to NCP provider species.

Location
Europe.

Methods
We synthesised existing literature on NCP associated with European terrestrial vertebrates, and leveraged ecological traits and trophic interactions from existing datasets. We identified 15 NCP (10 regulating NCP and 5 non‐material NCP), with 860 species providing at least one NCP (out of 1168 vertebrate species considered in total). Then, we harnessed spatial data on species distributions and European land systems to map the potential capacity of vertebrates to provide NCP across Europe at a 1 km 2 resolution, including societal demand for each NCP.

Results
We found that (i) for each NCP, at least 25% of NCP provider species are assessed as threatened with extinction; (ii) potential NCP multifunctionality was lowest in high‐intensity land systems; and (iii) direct exploitation and agricultural intensification are major threats to NCP, impacting provider species for both non‐material and regulating NCP.

Main Conclusions
NCP are supported by diverse vertebrate communities across Europe, but many provider species are threatened by anthropogenic pressures. Our results suggest that protecting threatened NCP provider species, reducing direct exploitation, de‐intensifying agricultural practices, and maintaining heterogeneous mosaic landscapes, may support NCP multifunctionality. By improving our understanding of the NCP provided by terrestrial vertebrates in Europe, their biogeography, and the threats, our work can help prioritise species and areas for conservation and restoration that jointly benefits both biodiversity and NCP.

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