Why Are Honeybees Dying?
Almost everyone can agree that stings from honeybees are a nuisance, even a dangerous threat for some, but the bees are a vital part of a healthy ecosystem. Agricultural produce is the source of much of the worlds food and bees are a irreplaceable part of it. They are necessary to pollinate the plants and insure a healthy yield from crops. Now though; bees are disappearing at an alarming rate and what’s worse; no one is certain why this is happening. Children may be quite happy that they are not suffering as many stings on the playground as they once were, but the dramatic decline in the number of honeybees in North America and other parts of the world could be a sign of a major ecological imbalance that will have drastic effects on the worlds food supply. Honeybees were first brought to the americas in the 1600s for their ability to produce honey and pollinate crops. Since then they have spread rapidly across the continent and are responsible for the pollination of over ninety different crops as well as the production of honey itself. In recent years, their population has declined by as much as 70 percent, and has left biologists with little clue as to why, or what to do about it. They have termed this alarming problem ‘CCD’ or colony collapse disorder which is a phenomena in which worker bees disappear from a hive never to be seen again. The theories as to what could be responsible are of a wide variety of potential causes, and include: chemicals, radiation, global warming, disease, other bees, even increased cell phone use. Many of these theories are difficult to test and so far, have yielded inconclusive results. A recent gathering of many leading biologists specializing in honeybees, yielded no easy answers, but most agreed that it is probably a combination of factors. A United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) report in 2010 states that: through an initial analysis of collected bee samples ( both CCD- and non-CCD afflicted), They have noted a high number of viruses and other pathogens, pesticides, and parasites were present in CCD affected colonies, with lower levels these factors in non-CCD affected colonies. This could suggests a correlation between a combination of environmental factors that might set off a cascade of events and contribute to the overall weakening of a colony leaving the worker bees more susceptible to disease. The Colony Collapse Disorder Group based at Pennsylvania State University has reported some patterns present in CCD such as: abandonment of larval brood, and uneaten food stores. Though they have drawn no strong conclusion about potential causes. While most experts cannot agree on the causes of CCD, they do agree that; unless an adequate solution is found we could be facing outcomes as serious as extinction for many species of flora and fauna as well as famine on a global wide scale. Many private beekeepers now offer start up beekeeping kits for hobbyists to help with this serious problem. No one knows exactly what the long term ramifications of this rapid decline in honeybees will be, but it will certainly have a profound impact on the environment, many world economies, and the food production capabilities of the entire human race.