Bees are one of the most crucial aspects of plant proliferation and agriculture. Over 70 per cent of global food crops depend on pollination, which is done by bees. However, for the past few decades, there have been studies showing the decline of the bee population. It is a major concern for us as it can have catastrophic implications for the survival of most species on Earth. Moreover, suppose such trends of declining bee population do not change. In that case, it might lead to world hunger among 8 billion people. So, let’s learn more about Bees and the factors that are disrupting the Bee population worldwide.
Pesticide Use
The use of chemically curated products to increase the yield by eliminating pests seems a normal agricultural effort. However, it is one of the primary reasons that has negative implications for the bee population. The widespread use of neonicotinoids is linked to increased bee deaths, which ultimately leads to the collapse of the whole colony. Furthermore, the reason for such effects is that such pesticides can impair bees’ foraging ability and weaken their immune systems.
- Neonicotinoid toxicity risk.
- Reduced reproduction rates.
- Contaminated food sources.
- Lower immunity levels.
Habitat Loss
The cost of expanding civilisation to unforeseen places is the price of natural biodiversity. Similar is the case when we talk about bees. Human expansion through agriculture, urbanisation results in deforestation, which limits the food sources for bees. As a result, more than 40% insect pollinator species are facing decline in nature. Therefore, it’s a big concern because we can’t do anything about it until there is proper restoration of the flora that is destroyed during human activities.
- Farmland monocultures.
- Loss of wildflowers.
- Deforestation threats.
- Reduced nesting sites.
- Shrinking ecosystems.
Climate Change
Apart from direct human activities, there is a change in the climate. It is a more vague problem because of its global scale. However, there is evidence of disruption of flowering with climate change. This could destroy the bee-plant synchrony and may reduce the population of bees. Thus, the infrequency of temperature is also a danger to the already struggling bee population.
- Altered flowering cycles.
- Extreme weather stress.
- Habitat destabilisation.
- Rising heat risks.
Parasites and Pathogens
Similar to human beings who are prone to bacterial, viral and parasitic diseases, bees also have enemies. The Varroa destructor mite is a parasite that feeds on bee colonies. In contrast, the Nosema ceranae reduces the bees’ foraging efficiency. Thus, conservationists need to keep such factors in the equation as well when saving bees worldwide.
- Viral hive diseases.
- Reduced bee lifespan.
- Weakened immunity systems.
- High mortality rates.
Poor Nutrition and Food Scarcity
With the reduction of biodiversity and natural flowers, which served as food sources for bees, the species also faces limited resources. Most of the plants feed on the nectar of flowers, which they later use to make honey. However, without many options and variations of plants, varied pollen diets are deficient in bees. This can result in a weakened immune system, making them more vulnerable to pesticides and diseases.
- Monoculture farming risks.
- Lack of diverse pollen.
- Nutritional deficiencies rise.
- Increased pesticide impact.
- Shortened bee lifespans.
Industrial Agriculture Practices
The industrial proliferation and expansion in agriculture are vital to feed billions of people around the globe. However, this also has a negative implication for insects like bees. With over-mechanised farming, the wild habitat is destroyed, resulting in limiting forage for bees. Moreover, many farmers employ chemical fertilisers, which disrupt natural plant cycles and reduce wildflowers for bees. Thus, we need to prompt industrial models that prioritise biodiversity over yield.
- Fertiliser dependency growth
- Habitat destruction trends
- Forage plant reduction
- Biodiversity loss effects
- Pollination service decline
Pollution and Air Quality
One of the most common human activities that results in depleting bee populations is air pollution. With the decrease in the air quality, the bees become less efficient in detecting the floral scents. Also, the water bodies are not safe for bees as well as they are mostly contaminated and lethal for small organisms. Therefore, the different pollution caused by human activities are also a contributing factor to the declining population of bees.
- Ozone interference issues.
- Diesel fumes and more.
- Lower nectar availability.
- Foraging inefficiency growth.
Invasive Species
There is also the issue of competition from other species. The hornets are the major predators of honeybees in the world. With the increase of invasive species, it’s unsafe for bees to forage and increase their population. Moreover, the rise of invasive species is the result of global trade and illegal activities.
- Asian hornet attacks.
- Spread of new pathogens.
- Hive destruction threats.
- Trade-related invasions.
- Reduced bee resilience.
Genetic Weakening and Inbreeding
Even the commercial aspect is not good for bees. It’s because the breeding practices reduce the genetic diversity, leading to inbreeding. Furthermore, there is a need for genetic differences as it makes the species resistant to diseases and environment stresses. Thus, it should be an ethical policy for the breeders and workers to induce diversity during the mating procedures in bees. Only then is it possible to induce long-term resilience in the species.
- Weak queen production.
- Lower colony resilience.
- Disease vulnerability increases.
- Productivity decline patterns.
Human Exploitation and Commercial Beekeeping Pressures
For centuries, bees have been exploited to produce honey. It is because the artificial feeding practices are not able to make up for natural nutrition, which, over time, reduces the population. Therefore, over-harvesting is not good for bees, which are nutritionally deprived and no longer able to survival.
- Hive transportation stress.
- Overharvesting honey reserves.
- Nutritional deprivation issues.
- Mass pollination contracts.
- Artificial feed problems.
- Increased colony collapse.
Broader Impact of Bee Decline
Apart from the reasons that are declining bees worldwide, there is a lot of negative impact. Without bees, there is a continual threat to global food security, which only worsens with population growth. Additionally, there is a huge danger to the stability of the whole ecosystem, which depends on bees. Thus, we are not far from the day when we can observe the reduced crop yield and increase in food costs.
Solutions and Hope for the Future of the Bee Population
Even with all the problems with the declining bee count, there are ways to reduce the problem. First, the most important thing is to create awareness. Sadly, even with the internet, the majority of farmers have no idea about the repercussions of the pesticides they’re using on bees. So, it all starts with awareness, and it’s a request for all the readers to take this issue seriously and share the message with the ones who need to hear it the most.
- Promoting pollinator-friendly farming.
- Banning or restricting harmful pesticides.
- Planting wildflower corridors and pollinator gardens.
- Supporting beekeepers and sustainable honey production.
- Encouraging international cooperation on climate and habitat protection.
Final Emphasis On Declining Bee Population
The decline of the bee population is the sad truth of our times and ethically feeble human practices as well. But it should not change the fact that the whole ecosystem is dependent on bees, which include human beings. Thus, it’s a duty of all people to contribute with the smallest of efforts. This includes planting pollinator-friendly plants and reducing the use of pesticides in normal gardening.
Also, we should not support the honey industry, which uses non-ethical practices for its profits. Then only there is a chance for bees to come back more effectively in the natural order to restore biodiversity.
FAQs
Are bees endangered in India?
Similar to most places in the world, Indian farmers have noticed the decline of bees in their fields.
Can a queen bee lay 2000 eggs a day?
The queen bee has the potential to lay over 2000 eggs in a day.
How many bees can make 1 kg of honey?
Over 100,000 bees work their entire lifespan to make 1 kg of honey.
How to increase the bee population in hives?
Swarming is one of the most effective methods to increase the bee population in hives.