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According to a new report, high number of species that are responsible for billions of dollars' worth of food every year are at the brink of extinction.

The first of its kind global assessment by a group affiliated to UN released a report that reveals a threat to the creatures that pollinate the plants of the world. As many as 20,000 species of wild bees contribute to the growth of nuts, fruits and vegetables, as well as flowering plants. These plants, dependent on pollination, make up 35% of global production of crops volume worth $577 billion a year. The pollinators also play an instrumental role in creating millions of jobs that are stemmed out of agricultural system, reports Japan Times

As per the document, many pollinator species are threatened by the fear of extinction, including 16% vertebrates such as birds and bats. Other set of species include hummingbirds and 2,000 avian species that live on nectar and spread pollen as they move from one flower to another. While the risks are of extinction are not defined well, the report says there are "high levels of threat" for at least 9% species of butterflies and bees, says New York Times

As many as 20,000 pollinators contribute to the world's food supply and yet as many as 40% invertebrate pollinators such as wasps, butterflies and bees have declined significantly over the years.

"We are in a period of decline and there are going to be increasing consequences," said report lead author Simon Potts, director of the Centre for Agri-Environmental Research at the University of Reading in England.

"Without pollinators many of us would no longer be able to enjoy coffee, chocolate and apples among many other foods that are part of our daily lives," as reported by I4U