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No- The Not-So-Sweet Life: Environmental Changes Killing Honey Bees?
The Not-So-Sweet Life: Environmental Changes Killing Honey Bees?
By: Emily B. Ayotte
Since 2006 there has been a large scientific controversy about Honey bees and the sudden rise in deaths among them. There is a lot of speculation about what has actually happened to these bees. With the environmental issues that global climate change has brought about, as well as some technological advances, bees have been affected disappearing at an alarming rate. The deaths and disappearances of honey bees might seem trivial, but in reality it is a serious issue that if continues, will alter and threaten our food chain.
Even though bees die, and accidents in nature happen, there are several distinct characteristics that qualify a honey bee colony’s death as abnormal. Scientists have named this Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), which was first applied to a drastic rise in the number of disappearances of Western honey bee colonies on the North American continent in mid- to late 2006 (Green Earth Friend 1). Beekeepers became alarmed when 40-60% of their bees had disappeared and never returned to the hive. Some beekeepers lost more, while others lost much less, but needless to say it became a concern across the nation (Buzzing about Climate Change 1). Not only were the beekeepers losing money and out of business, but there was a lot of concern among the agricultural community of farmers and crop-raisers that depended on the beekeepers bringing in colonies of bees to pollinate their crops. Growing panic about CCD and the disappearances of the reliable and efficient pollinators urged experts to look deeper into the causes and effects of the disorder.
When a honey bee colony collapses the hive’s inhabitants suddenly disappear, leaving only the queens, eggs, and a few immature workers alone in the hive. There is normally no sign of the rest of the hive, which in explainable cases, the bees would be found dead around the hive. There are no signs of the bees in the proximity of the hive, nor in the area (Wikipedia 1). Scientists and beekeepers alike have see CCD all over the world in varying degrees, and they have not come to an all-inclusive explanation. The only thing that has been determined without a doubt is that something is weakening the bees’ immune systems and resilience. “They are showing signs of stress and their environment is and has been significantly weakened,” reports beekeeper, Wayne Esaias.
One of the most alarming factors of CCD is that it is not just occurring in one isolated area or continent. It is occurring all over the world, and with varying degrees of seriouness depending on the farmer and the beekeeper. It has affected Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Greece in some of the same capacities that it has debilitated North America. Canada, Australia, Hawaii, and even Taiwan have reported this same phenomenon. Considering all of these countries and their different terrains, climates, and practices, there must be something that is linking these incidents together.
Scientists, experts, and beekeepers have speculated since first seeing the first few occurrences of CCD. On top of the usual losses that beekeepers see every year, they were seeing at least 30% more disappearances on top of that (Green Earth 1). Some farmers blamed the pesticides that they were using, or the mites becoming increasingly threatening, while beekeepers tried to alter their keeping practices to see if they would see any change. Different theories continued to emerge as the problem continued, but even three years later, there is not a definitive answer to solve the problem. There is a great amount of evidence and research that can be disregarded though, considering it only applies in isolated areas, or not at all. Something bigger and inclusive of all of these instances is affecting the bees.
One of the suggestions that experts have considered is the idea that pesticides and insecticides, the chemicals that aid in and enhance plant growth and productivity, are interfering with the bees’ ability to navigate back to the hive, as well as weakening their immune system. This idea is plausible in some cases, but it is not the underlying cause for several reasons. These types of chemicals have been used for years, and definitely at least a decade before the cases of CCD came about in 2006 (Green Earth 1). There are many different pesticides and insecticides that are used by farmers all over the world, while some do not even use chemicals to aid in their agricultural growth. Even with the varying chemicals and lack of chemical use in some areas, CCD is still apparent without relation to a particular chemical.
Chemical aids for agriculture have been used long before CCD occurred and the bee populations have been able to survive, repopulate, and be a successful colony. Even though chemicals are known to cause occasional problems, they are necessary in some cases. Even though they do cause some health issues for the bees, pesticides have not weakened them enough to kill them off in the past, so one would ask “Why all of a sudden?” Some of the newest and most highly used chemicals were tested as a result of the growing concern.
After testing some of their most widely used products and chemicals, Bayer CropScience, found some interesting information. They tested their products on bees and their habitats, and found little to know evidence. One of the researchers, as well as the CEO of Bayer, reported that their reliable research had shown no evidence that their pesticides cause the bees to lose their sense of direction. Their data does not show any consistency that would suggest this either (Lindsey 3). Some might argue that this is a conflict of interest for Bayer, but in the long run it is just essential for them to determine if it is their product because it would lead to monetary losses for them as well.
A lot can happen in a lab that can or cannot happen in nature. This is why some of the research done is debunked or rejected. “The truth is that bees are very resilient and their environments are crucial to maintain that,” said one concerned beekeeper. If the bees are so resilient and have faced the issues of disease and chemical products before, scientists are concerned that something else is triggering or causing CCD. The phenomenon is now, why would they suddenly be affected by the chemicals that they have been exposed to for years?
Many scientists also believe that there is a specific chemical or pesticide to blame. The truth is that there are many different pesticides and insecticides that have different chemicals. There is not one particular chemical or aide that is causing this problem because there are so many different combinations, and there is still an issue with CCD. Not only do farmers use different chemicals to help their crops grow, but some farmers do not use any and still have colonies collapsing (Lindsey 4). These occurrences of CCD seem to isolate themselves from one other in terms of what kinds of chemicals are used, area, and crops they are pollinating.
One issue that is obvious is that the United States is having some of the biggest of the percentage of bees affected. America is an ever-expanding nation, and is of course one of the main nations affected by the risks and cons of urbanization. There is a lack of clean air and pollution policies, making the environment much more toxic to anything living in it. The more populated areas are more widely affected, but there is also the travelling bee hives to worry about as well. Beekeepers take their colonies all over the nation to pollinate a wide-range of separate farms (Britannica 2). If the bees aren’t already subjected to pollution in their original environments, they might be affected by the pollution to and from the other farms. The growing concern for the well-being of our environment is also affecting the bees, and possibly in more ways than we can tell.
One thing that pollution and poor air quality can lead to is sterile pollen. Eric Mussen, one of the investigators of this catastrophe blames the majority of the CCD cases on poor nutrition. He states that “Well, you get this blast of hot temperature, which is about the time the flower buds are forming and the pollen grains are beginning to form,” which is also magnified by some climates not receiving enough rainfall over the season. When this happens, the pollen becomes sterile and holds no nutrients for the honey bees. With a poor immune system, bees rely particularly on their food supply for nutrients and energy to survive their environments (Britannica 3). Not having the nutrients from the pollen can prove detrimental, and ultimately could kill off a colony of bees. Proving the isolating features of the other possible culprits, one can begin to assume the problem seems to stem from one main issue of global climate change.
Global climate change has affected many other aspects of nature and even other inorganic things, but it is inarguably playing a role in the death and disappearances of the honey bees. With warmer climates, bees are facing several obstacles, aside from the sterile pollen discussed earlier (Scientific American 2). These obstacles are causing the bees to work harder and exert their energy on staying healthy rather than pollinating.
Because of global climate change, flowers are blooming at a much earlier time in the year and nectar flows are much earlier as well. The honey bees have had to readjust to this change and may not be as successful in pollinating or may even die. The bees rely on the cycles of nature, and especially the change of seasons when they know they can begin to pollinate and collect nectar. This places a lot of stress on the bees and ultimately makes them more susceptible to diseases and the pesticides and insecticides. Since this can happen anywhere, this would explain why the epidemic is so widespread and would also point to global climate change as the main culprit.
Of course there are many speculations as to what is actually going on with the honey bees because many separate experiments and evaluations have been made from all over. These diverse conclusions have stumped scientists and experts since 2006, but each of them has considered global climate change as a main source of the problem. It is the only consistent factor that exists everywhere, varies in its degree of effect, and has already been proven a problem for other species and life in nature. Ultimately, if nations begin to focus on their eco-friendly policies, bees’ existence will face less of threat.
By: Emily B. Ayotte
Since 2006 there has been a large scientific controversy about Honey bees and the sudden rise in deaths among them. There is a lot of speculation about what has actually happened to these bees. With the environmental issues that global climate change has brought about, as well as some technological advances, bees have been affected disappearing at an alarming rate. The deaths and disappearances of honey bees might seem trivial, but in reality it is a serious issue that if continues, will alter and threaten our food chain.
Even though bees die, and accidents in nature happen, there are several distinct characteristics that qualify a honey bee colony’s death as abnormal. Scientists have named this Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), which was first applied to a drastic rise in the number of disappearances of Western honey bee colonies on the North American continent in mid- to late 2006 (Green Earth Friend 1). Beekeepers became alarmed when 40-60% of their bees had disappeared and never returned to the hive. Some beekeepers lost more, while others lost much less, but needless to say it became a concern across the nation (Buzzing about Climate Change 1). Not only were the beekeepers losing money and out of business, but there was a lot of concern among the agricultural community of farmers and crop-raisers that depended on the beekeepers bringing in colonies of bees to pollinate their crops. Growing panic about CCD and the disappearances of the reliable and efficient pollinators urged experts to look deeper into the causes and effects of the disorder.
When a honey bee colony collapses the hive’s inhabitants suddenly disappear, leaving only the queens, eggs, and a few immature workers alone in the hive. There is normally no sign of the rest of the hive, which in explainable cases, the bees would be found dead around the hive. There are no signs of the bees in the proximity of the hive, nor in the area (Wikipedia 1). Scientists and beekeepers alike have see CCD all over the world in varying degrees, and they have not come to an all-inclusive explanation. The only thing that has been determined without a doubt is that something is weakening the bees’ immune systems and resilience. “They are showing signs of stress and their environment is and has been significantly weakened,” reports beekeeper, Wayne Esaias.
One of the most alarming factors of CCD is that it is not just occurring in one isolated area or continent. It is occurring all over the world, and with varying degrees of seriouness depending on the farmer and the beekeeper. It has affected Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Greece in some of the same capacities that it has debilitated North America. Canada, Australia, Hawaii, and even Taiwan have reported this same phenomenon. Considering all of these countries and their different terrains, climates, and practices, there must be something that is linking these incidents together.
Scientists, experts, and beekeepers have speculated since first seeing the first few occurrences of CCD. On top of the usual losses that beekeepers see every year, they were seeing at least 30% more disappearances on top of that (Green Earth 1). Some farmers blamed the pesticides that they were using, or the mites becoming increasingly threatening, while beekeepers tried to alter their keeping practices to see if they would see any change. Different theories continued to emerge as the problem continued, but even three years later, there is not a definitive answer to solve the problem. There is a great amount of evidence and research that can be disregarded though, considering it only applies in isolated areas, or not at all. Something bigger and inclusive of all of these instances is affecting the bees.
One of the suggestions that experts have considered is the idea that pesticides and insecticides, the chemicals that aid in and enhance plant growth and productivity, are interfering with the bees’ ability to navigate back to the hive, as well as weakening their immune system. This idea is plausible in some cases, but it is not the underlying cause for several reasons. These types of chemicals have been used for years, and definitely at least a decade before the cases of CCD came about in 2006 (Green Earth 1). There are many different pesticides and insecticides that are used by farmers all over the world, while some do not even use chemicals to aid in their agricultural growth. Even with the varying chemicals and lack of chemical use in some areas, CCD is still apparent without relation to a particular chemical.
Chemical aids for agriculture have been used long before CCD occurred and the bee populations have been able to survive, repopulate, and be a successful colony. Even though chemicals are known to cause occasional problems, they are necessary in some cases. Even though they do cause some health issues for the bees, pesticides have not weakened them enough to kill them off in the past, so one would ask “Why all of a sudden?” Some of the newest and most highly used chemicals were tested as a result of the growing concern.
After testing some of their most widely used products and chemicals, Bayer CropScience, found some interesting information. They tested their products on bees and their habitats, and found little to know evidence. One of the researchers, as well as the CEO of Bayer, reported that their reliable research had shown no evidence that their pesticides cause the bees to lose their sense of direction. Their data does not show any consistency that would suggest this either (Lindsey 3). Some might argue that this is a conflict of interest for Bayer, but in the long run it is just essential for them to determine if it is their product because it would lead to monetary losses for them as well.
A lot can happen in a lab that can or cannot happen in nature. This is why some of the research done is debunked or rejected. “The truth is that bees are very resilient and their environments are crucial to maintain that,” said one concerned beekeeper. If the bees are so resilient and have faced the issues of disease and chemical products before, scientists are concerned that something else is triggering or causing CCD. The phenomenon is now, why would they suddenly be affected by the chemicals that they have been exposed to for years?
Many scientists also believe that there is a specific chemical or pesticide to blame. The truth is that there are many different pesticides and insecticides that have different chemicals. There is not one particular chemical or aide that is causing this problem because there are so many different combinations, and there is still an issue with CCD. Not only do farmers use different chemicals to help their crops grow, but some farmers do not use any and still have colonies collapsing (Lindsey 4). These occurrences of CCD seem to isolate themselves from one other in terms of what kinds of chemicals are used, area, and crops they are pollinating.
One issue that is obvious is that the United States is having some of the biggest of the percentage of bees affected. America is an ever-expanding nation, and is of course one of the main nations affected by the risks and cons of urbanization. There is a lack of clean air and pollution policies, making the environment much more toxic to anything living in it. The more populated areas are more widely affected, but there is also the travelling bee hives to worry about as well. Beekeepers take their colonies all over the nation to pollinate a wide-range of separate farms (Britannica 2). If the bees aren’t already subjected to pollution in their original environments, they might be affected by the pollution to and from the other farms. The growing concern for the well-being of our environment is also affecting the bees, and possibly in more ways than we can tell.
One thing that pollution and poor air quality can lead to is sterile pollen. Eric Mussen, one of the investigators of this catastrophe blames the majority of the CCD cases on poor nutrition. He states that “Well, you get this blast of hot temperature, which is about the time the flower buds are forming and the pollen grains are beginning to form,” which is also magnified by some climates not receiving enough rainfall over the season. When this happens, the pollen becomes sterile and holds no nutrients for the honey bees. With a poor immune system, bees rely particularly on their food supply for nutrients and energy to survive their environments (Britannica 3). Not having the nutrients from the pollen can prove detrimental, and ultimately could kill off a colony of bees. Proving the isolating features of the other possible culprits, one can begin to assume the problem seems to stem from one main issue of global climate change.
Global climate change has affected many other aspects of nature and even other inorganic things, but it is inarguably playing a role in the death and disappearances of the honey bees. With warmer climates, bees are facing several obstacles, aside from the sterile pollen discussed earlier (Scientific American 2). These obstacles are causing the bees to work harder and exert their energy on staying healthy rather than pollinating.
Because of global climate change, flowers are blooming at a much earlier time in the year and nectar flows are much earlier as well. The honey bees have had to readjust to this change and may not be as successful in pollinating or may even die. The bees rely on the cycles of nature, and especially the change of seasons when they know they can begin to pollinate and collect nectar. This places a lot of stress on the bees and ultimately makes them more susceptible to diseases and the pesticides and insecticides. Since this can happen anywhere, this would explain why the epidemic is so widespread and would also point to global climate change as the main culprit.
Of course there are many speculations as to what is actually going on with the honey bees because many separate experiments and evaluations have been made from all over. These diverse conclusions have stumped scientists and experts since 2006, but each of them has considered global climate change as a main source of the problem. It is the only consistent factor that exists everywhere, varies in its degree of effect, and has already been proven a problem for other species and life in nature. Ultimately, if nations begin to focus on their eco-friendly policies, bees’ existence will face less of threat.
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