THE CURRENT DECLINE OF BEES IS A SITUATION THAT CANNOT BE UNDERESTIMATED, SINCE IT RISKS TO ASSUME EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DIMENSIONS, NOT ONLY FOR THE LIFE OF INSECTS BUT ALSO FOR THAT OF MAN, FOR THE SAFEGUARD OF NATURE AND THE ECONOMY. GREENPEACE CALLS ALL OF US TO ACTION
A drastic decline of bees: biotic and abiotic factors
In recent years, the number of bees and pollinating insects in general it is in decline. Two main factors: biotics e abiotics.
I biotic factors include the living elements of the environment, such as plants and animals themselves, while those abiotics concern non-living elements, such as climate and the physical environment.
When we talk about urbanization e deforestation, we enter a territory dominated by biotic factors. Urban sprawl and forest loss alter bees’ natural habitats.
They negatively impact the amount of flowers available, forcing pollinators to travel further to find the food they need. Furthermore, cities create “heat islands”, warmer microclimates caused by overbuilding, asphalt and industrial and automotive emissions. These temperature changes can disturb pollinators, affecting their behavior and foraging habits.
When size matters
But that’s not all: the size of the bees’ body plays a fundamental role. Smaller bees have a more limited foraging range and suffer more in fragmented urban areas, where habitats are divided by roads and buildings. In contrast, larger bees can take advantage of this fragmentation, increasing in number and better adapting to the urban environment.
All of these factors are leading to declines in wild bee populations and a loss of diversity within pollinator communities.
For these reasons, in certain parts of the world it has even become necessary to pollinate manually due to the drastic decrease in bee populations.
A dramatic situation: the decline of wild bees
The downward trend has been evident for some time: As early as 2008, there has been a dramatic decline in the number of honey bee colonies in the United States, with some regions experiencing declines of more than 50%.
Within this crisis, the situation of wild bees is particularly tragic. They are exposed to the same factors that threaten farmed bees, but suffer an even greater impact due to their life in non-anthropic places.
Such a rapid numerical decrease would put the balance of entire ecosystems and human life itself at risk.
The Belgian playwright reminded us of this as far back as 1901 Maurice Maeterlinck, author of the book “The life of bees”. «It is estimated that more than one hundred thousand varieties of plants would disappear if they api did not visit them.”
A few years later, in 1994, a leaflet distributed in Brussels byNational Union of French Beekeepersdeclaimed «sIf bees disappeared from the face of the Earth, humans would have just four years to live.”. Phrase also attributed to the German physicist Albert Einstein.
But why did it come to this?
Climate change, loss of habitat and biodiversity, intensive agricultural practices and the widespread use of pesticides and heavy metals are just some of the problems affecting wild bees.
All factors that make their pollination task increasingly difficult.
Pesticidi killer
Reducing wildflower diversity has a direct impact on bee health, resulting in fewer nutrient sources being available year-round. This phenomenon not only compromises the survival of bees but also undermines the balance of natural ecosystems.
Despite some regulatory progress, such as the ban on the use of some harmful pesticides in Europe, such as neonicotinoidi In 2018, the damage caused by decades of indiscriminate use of toxic substances is evident in many parts of the world. In places like China and some regions of California, pollinator shortages are so severe that farms are forced to transport them during flowering season to ensure almond and walnut production.
The situation not only has not improved over the years, but risks getting even worse.
Climate damage
Il climate then, it profoundly influences the relationship between plants and pollinators. In a world where temperatures are changing rapidly, the delicate balance between flowers and wild bees is being put to the test.
The life cycle of bees has slowly adapted to the flowering cycle of plants over millennia. However, the climate change is altering this balance.
Rising temperatures can cause flowers to bloom early or late, creating an asynchrony between plants and pollinators. If bees don’t find enough flowers when they emerge to feed, they have to move further in search of food, putting their survival at risk.
Additionally, drought conditions directly affect the vitality and appearance of flowers. When plants grow in periods of Drought, their petals tend to be less colorful, making the flowers less attractive to pollinators. This can start a cascade effect: fewer pollinated flowers mean fewer plants thriving,
The poor insects must therefore look for food sources elsewhere, perhaps at higher altitudes. This means that pollinator species must compete with those already present at higher altitudes.
Unfortunately, in this intricate game between climate, plants and pollinators, every change has consequences that affect the entire food chain. It is a constant adaptation, where only the most resilient species survive the whims of nature.
Diseases: a further threat
Diseases pose another significant threat to wild pollinator populations.
Honey bees can act as vectors for a number of harmful pathogens that can also infect species of wild bees. Currently, eleven have been identified virus capable of moving from honey bees to other bee species. It is believed that this can occur when a wild bee feeds on flowers previously visited by infected honey bees.
However, the impact of these viruses on wild bee populations is not yet fully understood. Although they have been identified as risk factors, extensive research into the implications of these diseases for wild bee populations is still ongoing.
Environmental factors and the decline of bees
Unfortunately, the air we breathe also makes bees sick.
This was confirmed by a study conducted by the American scientific journal PNASwhich focused not only on the honey bee (Apis mellifera) but also ongiant bee of India (Apis dorsata), one of the most precious pollinator species on the continent.
The latter, unlike European bees, has not been domesticated and its colonies are not stationary, but migrate long distances every year.
Well, the research conducted by the ecologist Geetha Thimmegowda of the National Center for Biological Sciences of Bangalore (India) analyzed the effect ofair pollution on these bees over a three-year period, in the vicinity of the aforementioned metropolis, one of the most polluted areas of India (and the world).
Needless to say, the results highlighted that high concentrations of air pollutants negatively affect the health and behavior of bees. But let’s get to the bottom of the matter.
The effects of pollution
First, it has been found that in the most polluted areas the concentration of bees is drastically reduced, which translates into a shortage of pollinators for local plants. But that’s not all: the bees captured in these areas show clear signs of stress and suffering. There are weak immune systems, signs of cardiac arrhythmia and the presence of toxic substances such as arsenic and lead in their bodies. These harmful effects could have even more serious consequences on common bee species, which do not have the same mobility as Indian bees. While India’s nomadic bees may seek refuge in less polluted areas, common bees have a more limited range and struggle to escape pollution.
However, this situation does not only put the survival of the colonies at risk: it has repercussions on the health of the ecosystems in which they live.
The decline of wild bees, therefore, is not only a matter of environmental concern, but also of fundamental importance for our very survival. But what would happen if the bees disappeared?
A vicious circle
Plants may begin to pollinate themselves – the process is known as self-pollination. Result?
The probability of passing on genes”bad” or recessive to the future generation would be greater.
At the same time, genetic variability within plant populations would be reduced, making them less adaptable to environmental changes.
Plants would therefore become more vulnerable to diseases, parasites and other threats, resulting in a decrease in their survival and reproductive rates.
But here’s the real problem: this cycle of self-pollination and loss of genetic variability could in turn further reduce the population of pollinating insects.
This because the plants would offer less nectar and pollen due to their self-pollination, thus reducing the resources available to insects.
And so the cycle would continue, creating a deleterious loop that could have catastrophic consequences for natural ecosystems.
Let’s protect bees: Greenpeace’s appeal
Also the environmentalist and pacifist non-governmental organization Greenpeace took the field to protect bees, obtaining important results, such as the definitive banning of three insecticides neonicotinoidi harmful to bees in the European Union. He has also contributed to increasing awareness of the importance of protecting pollinating insects and is currently working to create places of urban regeneration, such as the Bosco delle Api near Cremona, where pollinating insects can live in peace.
«Bees not only produce honey, but play an essential role in ecosystems. Yet pesticides, the climate crisis and pollution are killing millions of bees every year. Our food, biodiversity and the very life of the Planet depend on them”we read in a note.
In addition to the environmental drama, the activists touch on the economic aspect: a third of the food that ends up on our tables depends directly on the pollination work of these small creatures. «In Europe alone, over 4 thousand species of vegetables reach our plates thanks to the tireless work of bees. If these disappeared, the consequences on food production would be catastrophic and incalculable.”
But there is still a long way to go. How to avoid the decline of bees?
Greenpeace’s next goals: halt the decline
Ban the use of pesticides harmful to bees and other pollinating insects;
Apply rigorous standards for risk assessment of pesticides and herbicides;
Increase funding for research, development and application of ecological agricultural practices;
Pressure governments to take urgent action against the drivers of climate change.