The Great Bee Crisis: Why Are Bees Disappearing?

  There has been a steady decrease in the population of bees worldwide over the past few decades. The most affected were honey bees that are used by commercial beekeepers in the US to pollinate crops. Indeed, some bee species are becoming extremely hard to get since a vast majority of them have disappeared mysteriously from the earth's surface. Bees play a vital role in ecosystems. Their decline will spell doom not only for commercial beekeepers but also for farmers. This paper takes an in-depth look at the bees' crises and its various causes in North America while also highlighting some of the ways that can be used to address the issue. 

Efficient Pollinators 

Most food produced around the globe is made possible by bees. The insects pollinate tomatoes, squash, blueberries, apples, and almonds as well as a host of other crops. Besides, they also pollinate alfalfa, a critical ingredient used in feeding animals. Therefore, it would be an understatement saying that bees are needed to maintain a healthy balance in the ecosystem and for maintaining food security. Bees also pollinate wildflowers and flowering trees. These, in turn, provide food and habitats for other wild animals resulting in the improvement of soil, air, and water quality.  

  Wild bees are also vital in the pollination of crops in conjunction with honey bees. Indeed, research indicates that the presence of wild bees insects yield across a wide variety of plants. Frequently, wild bees are responsible for pollinating crops that are consumed in North America as opposed to honey bees. Wild bees have a unique way of getting pollen from flowers. It is called buzz pollination. Such bees shake buds at a specific frequency, leading to the release of more pollen grains, thus efficient pollination. The unique ability of bumblebees has made them a favorite for farmers who grow flowers, tree nuts, vegetables, and fruits. The farmers, at times, mix the bumblebees with honey bees in aid to increase the chances of pollination in their farmlands.  

Bees in Distress 

Unfortunately, several bee species are in decline across the globe. For instance, the rusty patched bumble bee that once existed in southeastern Canada and throughout the eastern US is not in steady fall and is now found only in a few small populations in the Midwest. The bee was listed in March 2017 in the lower 48 states as one of the endangered species due to a shocking decline in its population by 91% in 20 years (Berenbaum, 2014). On the other hand, other species such as the American bumblebees have declined more gradually.  

The decline in bumblebee population can be attributed to various factors. They include an increased prevalence of pathogens and pests, exposure to pesticides, poor nutrition, among others. Most of these stressors are because of the intensification of agricultural practices in the Midwest. In the days of yore, grassland prairies provided dense and safe forage for bees. Sadly, most of these lands have now been converted into soybeans and corn farmlands, while others have been developed into residential and commercial real estate. Consequently, most bumblebees have been exposed to pesticides, thus shrinking their food supply and lifespan. Different species react differently to pesticides. Research suggests that bees with characteristics such as specialized and narrow diet, as well as large body sizes, are more susceptible to decline. Thus, providing safe and conducive nesting areas for indigenous bees is key to their conservation.  

Factors Leading to Decline in Bees Species in North America 

Parasitic mites such as Acarapis woodi and Varroa destructor has affected the availability of affordable and healthy honey bee colonies that are used for crop pollination. The stocks of honey bee colonies have declined by approximately 39% since the arrival of A. woodi (GRAHAM, 2018). Increased parasitism by mites of honey bees is a relatively new problem in North America that previously was unheard of. A survey carried out between 1980-82 gives credence to that statement (Graham, 2018). The study was carried out in more than 4400 apiaries in Canada and the US, revealing no evidence of the presence of such mites.  

Female Varroa mites reproduce on both male and worker larvae in A. mellifera. The infestation of honey bee colonies that originate from Europe in North America can be detrimental if left unchecked. Newly emerged adult worker bees exhibit a range of symptoms. They include substantial loss of weight in the adult stage, impaired development, reduced concentrations in serum proteins, reduced longevity, and secure deformations.  

Varroa parasitism that affects A. mellifera drones can significantly hinder the ability of the queen bee to get enough healthy sperms when mating. Experts have attributed parasites in bees to a reduction of seminal vesicles, decreased adult weight, lower sperm quality, and reduction in the production of mucus. On the other hand, parasitism also affects the male. Such manifests itself in ways such as decreased performance, the decline in the frequency of flight, lower sperm production, and mating inefficient.  

Infestations by pests such as varroa mites have led to increased overheads for farmers and beekeepers alike. Farmers have to incur huge and unplanned expenses in replacing colonies killed by insects and for pesticide treatment. They are replacing provinces that have been murdered required additional labor. Subsequently, the new territories end up producing less honey since they are smaller, as opposed to healthy colonies that have wintered successfully. Therefore the bee industry can benefit immensely from new ways of managing varroa mites.  

Pathogens 

Various pathogens affect bee colonies. The most common pathogen that affects bees is  Paenibacillus larvae.  The pathogen causes AFB, an infection that affects honey bees. AFB quickly spreads in bee colonies and is highly virulent. The pathogen can be fatal if left unchecked. AFB was the most severe threat that affected beekeepers in the first half of the 20th century (Klein, 2017). 

Consequently, it led to the loss of hundreds of thousands of colonies in the '40s. However, its effect was contained when antibiotics were introduced to counter its impact. Most importantly, one act that also significantly impacted on the scourge of the pathogen was the issuance of a directive that required farmers to burn all the hives that had been affected.  

The first useful antibiotic to be used to control the pathogens in the United States was Sulfathiozole. However, its use was later discontinued in the US due to concerns regarding the residues of honey. AFB's spores are refractory to the impact of antibiotics and can, at times, persist for as long as 80 years on the contaminated equipment (Klein, 2017). We of AFB quickly eliminate disease symptoms but later on lead to the reoccurrence of the disease. Most states recommend us of oxytetracycline as a preventive as opposed to a treatment for active cases. The best solution to contain the pathogens for the long term is to destroy all the active instances of AFB and burry or burn all the contaminated equipment.  

Pesticides 

The use of pesticides has reached a historic high in the United States and the world at large. The harm caused by the long term use of pesticides such as insecticides weakens and even kills thousands of honeybee colonies that are located nearby. Injury by pesticides regularly occurs due to failure to follow the recommendations on the levels, careless applications, and due to accidents that occur during spraying. Significant damage to honey bees has happened in the US and Canada from mosquito control programs. In 1983, a loss of $850,000 was witnessed in Manitoba in an attempt to combat the outbreak of western equine encephalitis. 

Similarly, approximately one million colonies were destroyed in California between 1966 and 1979 as a result of using insecticides (Medicine, 2020). This caused a 10% decline in the population of colonies.  

A recent trend in various parts of the world and especially in North America, has been geared towards reducing the use of pesticides in forestry and agriculture. Doing so will ultimately mitigate problems that re-associated with pesticide application. Moreover, actions such as restricting spraying when the bees are foraging will also conserve the colonies. One such instance that resulted in a court battle was when farmers sued landowners and the International Paper Company for spraying harmful pesticides as they tried to control cottonwood leaf beetles. Worse still, the landowners and the paper company carried on with the spraying knowing well that the tree plantations were located near the beekeepers' apiaries. The case was later settled out of court, with the beekeepers receiving an award of $335,000. 

Impact of Climate Change on Bees 

Climate change has also been one of the significant causes of habitat loss among bees. Consequently, bees had to migrate to the cooler region and set up the hives. Research carried out on bumblebee migrating indicates that the habitats occupied by bees had reduced by about 200 miles in Europe and North America (Duran, 2017). Another way in which climate change impacts bees is due to shifting temperatures. Flowers bloom earlier in spring due to the rise in average, monthly temperatures hence creating a potential mismatch in seasonal timing between when the bees start feeding on the pollen and when the flowers produce pollen (Maria, 2017). Unknown to most people, even a small mismatch of three to 6 days could negatively affect the health of bees. In retrospect, the bees are less likely to reproduce and less resistant to parasites and predators. 

Solutions to Counter the Bees Crisis 

Eliminate Harmful Garden Pesticides 

  From the preceding, it is evident that the extensive use of pesticides has indeed wreaked havoc on bees' colonies. Not only are pesticides harmful to humans but also bees. Therefore, farmers, companies, as well as landowners, should invest in natural means of controlling pests. One proven method that they can use is to adopt organic farming. Chemical-free plants and vibrant gardens provide a safe sanctuary for wild bees to reproduce while at the same time pollinating the plants, thereby contributing to security.  

Establish Habitats for Bees 

A safe and secure environment is essential for bee colonies to thrive. In the process of establishing natural habitats, it also essential to be aware of the fact those natural bees have different welling places compared to honeybees. Honeybees make us of waxy hives, whereas natural bees use underground nest tunnels, dead trees, and their branches and abandoned animal burrows. Farmers and other stakeholders can establish wood nesting bees by providing inexpensive bee blocks. These mean that they have to develop blocks of wood that are perforated with holes of various sizes. These can further be complemented by providing a layer of loose earth if the blokes are next to a source of water. Doing so will be like opening a rent-free apartment for the bees.  

Supporting Local Beekeepers 

Beekeeping was once a hobby that thrived among both the young and the old. However, the hobby has declined in recent years as people get preoccupied with other hobbies. Furthermore, unstable bee populations, coupled with commercial pressures, have made the hobbyless attractive. This is quite unfortunate because farmers rely on honeybees that have been domesticated to pollinate crops that have been grown for both domestic and commercial purposes. One sure way of supporting local beekeepers is by purchasing honey produced from local farms. Keeping small scale beekeepers in business is useful not only for the economy and also ensures the future production of honey.  

Conclusion 

Bee populations have been affected by numerous factors, such as those discussed above. Besides those, another climate-related factor that has adversely affected their community is the rising level of carbon dioxide. Research shows that there is a close correlation between the amount of protein found in pollen and the concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Such pollen is usually unhealthy for bees since it's diluted with carbon dioxide. This can be countered by reducing human activates that increased carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. Concerted efforts between various stakeholders, farmers, and companies will ultimately lead to safe practices that will preserve the natural habitats of bees. Therefore, bees will no longer be vulnerable to pollutants, such as pesticides, carbon dioxide, and pathogens. 

References 

Berenbaum, M. R. (2014). Bees in Crisis: Colony Collapse, Honey Laundering, and Other Problems Bee-Setting American Apiculture1. Jstor , 229-243. 

Duran, L. (2017, August 19). CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL . Retrieved February 20, 2020, from conservation.org: https://www.conservation.org/blog/the-buzz-on-climate-change-its-bad-for-bees 

Graham, K. K. (2018, May 25). Pacific Standard . Retrieved February 20, 2020, from psmag.com: https://psmag.com/environment/are-you-not-worried-about-the-bees 

Klein, S. (2017, May 7). THE CONVERSATION . Retrieved February 20, 2020, from theconversation.com: https://theconversation.com/ten-years-after-the-crisis-what-is-happening-to-the-worlds-bees-77164 

Maria, S. D. (2017, January 2). Green Schools Alliance . Retrieved February 20, 2020, from greenschoolsalliance.org: https://www.greenschoolsalliance.org/blogs/16/427 

Medicine, S. E. (2020). Causes of Pollinator Declines and Potential Threats. Science Engineering Medicne .