Honeybee Shortage Threatens World's Crops

Think you've seen fewer bees this Spring? You're not alone, and you're right. The population of honey bees has decreased 33.8% last winter alone, and that number is just the latest is what is being dubbed a catastrophic collapse of bee populations in the United States and worldwide. While the number already sounds high, it is also deemed incomplete, since honeybee populations are being drastically depleted during summer months as well. The ramifications of this collapse for American crops are being predicted to be equally catastrophic.

Beginning in 2006, honey bee populations began in decline markedly, due to what was called at the time colony collapse disorder (CCD). While the cause is still uncertain, there are hypotheses as to what it might be. There are certain parasites and bacterial infections that affect the honeybee population primarily. There may, however, be a simpler answer: pesticides.

Scientists began to notice that, although there were hardly any dead bees found in hives, the population had dwindled worldwide. The phenomenon became known as the "Mary Celeste Syndrome," so named for a legendary unmanned ship discovered in 1872. The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) recently commissioned a study into the dwindling numbers of honeybees, and researchers found evidence of 121 different types of pesticides in the dead bees, wax, and pollen. In the words of researcher Jeffery Pettis, "We believe that some subtle interactions between nutrition, pesticide exposure and other stressors are converging to kill colonies."

Overuse of pesticides may be the root cause, but the immediate danger lies in the ramifications of the lack of honeybees. An estimated third of everything we eat is pollinated by bees, and the lack thereof could have serious consequences on this year's crops. Although it is well-known that honeybees pollinate flowers (and make honey), their import cannot be stressed enough in the growing of strawberries, nuts, oil-seeds, cotton, and alfalfa (which is then used to feed cattle). In all, 90 plants depend, in part, on honeybees for pollination. Without their valuable contribution, the food chain will be inevitably effected, and unanimously it will be for the worse.

While it is hopeful that one cause may have been pinpointed (the mixing and irresponsible use of pesticides), it is unsure what will need to be done about it. As Pettis said, "Look at Aids, they have billions in research dollars and a causative agent and still no cure. Research takes time and beehives are complex organisms."

"Fears for crops as shock figures from America show scale of bee catastrophe"

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/may/02/food-fear-mystery-beehives-collapse

http://www.guardian.co.uk

"Mary Celeste: Fact not Fiction"

http://www.maryceleste.net/