Bee Hives have been declining rapidly in the past decade. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics, the number of beehives decreased for the third consecutive year in 2009. After winter of this year estimates indicated losses of between 30 to 50 percent in the last 50 years. This causes for a greatly reduced honey production, and causes problems for farmers that rely on bees to pollinate their crops.
It can be said that honey-bees accounted for one-third of our food. Numbers vary from 15 to 30 percent of the food consumers eat. Billions of dollars of crops could be in danger due to the declining bee population. They are responsible for pollinating many of the fruits, vegetables, and nuts we eat. Losses of the bees could have a big impact on the almond growers of Central California. They are dependent on commercial beekeepers to produce their billion-pound nut crop, which is one of the state of California’s most valuable agricultural product.
Researches have investigated viruses, parasites, insecticides, malnutrition and other environmental factors but have not been able to locate a specific cause of the population decline. Some say that a large problem is the varroa mite, a bloodsucking parasite that attacks young and adult honeybees. Attacked bees often have deformed wings and abdomens and a shortened life span. There is a big sense that our population growth is one of the main reasons for the bee populations decline. The problem is that a growing population means a growing demand for food, and a major demand for pollinators to help grow this food. If the bee population keeps on a steady decline we could be in great danger.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/36166449#36158903
I just thought it would be interesting to note that the honeybee species responsible for most of our crop pollination is not native to the United States. I wonder if the parasite in question is though? Everyone usually hates the idea of invasive and non-native species but there are some that have been useful like the honeybee. Many of our crops are non native as well. People don't think about the fact that horses were introduced too, even the Assateague ponies are non-native.
ReplyDeleteIt is also interesting to look at some of the potential causes to CCD or colony collapse disorder. Some scientists believe that there is a link between climate change and the bees disappearing. Plants are blooming earlier than bees are accustomed, which creates added stress to bee populations. But I think the most interesting theory to CCD is that cell phones are to blame. All cell phones and other high tech gadgets Emmit radiation. This radiation is believe to interfere with the bees ability to find there way back to their hives. However this theory dose not provide all the answers. It is still unknown to why once the colony has abandon their hive why wildlife and other bees don't raid the honey.
ReplyDeleteAnother theory that I read about on treehugger.com is that this is due to stress. Most bee keepers move their respective hives around renting them out to farmers who use them for pollination. This constant movement would cause stress on the hive, lowering immune resistances, allowing for their infection via viruses, parasites and the like.
ReplyDeleteHere is another reference to it on http://animals.howstuffworks.com/insects/bee8.htm
There are so many people with health problems these days and it is partially from sugary foods, sweets, donuts...etc. We should really get back to our first source of sweets in this world. HONEY. This could also be applied to living sustainably. Instead of going out and buying sugary processed goods we could just put a dab of honey on whatever you want. In Roman times, honey was the only sweetener used because sugar cane did not come about until 600 AD. Bees are very important, not only because of the honey they produce but also because they pollinate so many important crops! save the bees!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you wrote a blog on this topic; it goes to show that there are many indirect impacts on the environment from human overpopulation. After all, we are part of the ecosystem, and our actions DO affect the biodiversity of our planet. Although the exact cause of declining bee populations is unknown, I cannot help to assume that it has something to do with our dominance over bee hives and mass cultivation of honey. The domestication and manipulation of species is dangerous. The decline of honeybees is one of the largest and most significant examples, because it will have DIRECT impacts on our food supply. It can be seen how Einstein's Honey Bee Theory is becoming more and more relevant: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/204063/einsteins_apocalypse_is_no_theory.html
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