It is traditional in any reference to the environmental threats to our planet to quote the physicist Albert Einstein when he said that if the bee disappeared from the surface of the globe, humanity would have only four years of life left, as food crops would have no one to pollinate them. The truth is that, as is so often the case, it does not appear that Einstein ever said such a thing. And while the alleged four-year time frame cannot be attributed to any other scientific source either, at least the fake quote serves as a reminder of the important role of bees in the context of a worrying reality: the decline of bee populations led in 2007 to the coining of a new term, Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), whose causes and solutions are still being investigated.
Nearly nine out of ten flowering plants depend on various animals for pollination. Among them, the western (or European) honey bee (Apis mellifera), the most common species of honey bee and spread worldwide through beekeeping, is the most frequent floral visitor in nature. It is often said that bees are responsible for the pollination of one third of our crops, such as fruit trees, berries, vegetables and even alfalfa, but not others such as maize, tubers and root vegetables (e.g. potatoes and carrots) or leafy vegetables. In nature, around 5% of plant species are critically dependent on these creatures, while almost half of all plants are ignored by bees.
The causes of the disappearance of such an intelligent species
But while the role of bees in the survival of humankind has perhaps been over-dramatised, their importance in nature is indisputable, as is their contribution to the economy through the services beekeeping provides to ecosystems. As if that were not enough, bees are the subject of scientific studies that have discovered astonishing capacities in a brain of half a millimetre with less than a million neurons: they recognise human faces, encode spatio-temporal data in their dance and handle mathematical concepts, such as the ordering of quantities, addition, subtraction and even the idea of the number zero.
Crises in beekeeping operations have been sporadic in the history of beekeeping, but in the late 20th century a steady decline began to be detected in several countries. In 2007, a flurry of reports from North America, according to which some beekeepers had lost between 30% and 90% of their hives, led to the definition of CCD, for which multiple possible causes were suggested: neonicotinoid or neonic insecticides, pests such as the parasitic mite Varroa destructor, the fungus Nosema ceranae and bacterial or viral infections, environmental stress, malnutrition, low genetic diversity, habitat destruction or the effects of climate change, among others.
However, the relative contribution of these possible causes is still under study. Infections may be relevant; the permanent nature of hives—unlike, for example, wasps, which die in autumn and the queen founds a new colony the following year—makes them fertile ground for infections. As for the controversial neonics, although they are toxic to insects, including bees, there is no consensus on their actual impact on CCD. In Australia, widespread adoption of these insecticides did not result in an increased incidence of CCD, and only in cases where these or other pesticides were used incorrectly were hives affected. Some of these compounds have been banned in the EU and other countries.
Can we save the bees?
In fact, according to experts, the causes of CCD can be diverse in different regions, and even vary over time. Moreover, some experts believe that under the umbrella term CCD, defined in the US with specific symptoms—the disappearance of adult bees without corpses in well-stocked storage hives—cases from other continents with different symptoms are being included. Although declines in natural bee populations, as with all insects in general, have been detected worldwide, this phenomenon is not necessarily linked to CCD. And while CCD has affected farms in the US, Western Europe and parts of Asia, globally beekeeping has increased by 45% in the last five decades. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, reports of CCD cases in the US have declined substantially over the past five years, which has led many experts to question whether there is a sustained trend.
In view of the above, and because it is a problem with no clear single cause but likely produced by a combination of factors, and which seems to wax and wane for no apparent reason, there is also no one-size-fits-all solution. Apart from precautionary measures concerning the restriction of neonics, or more basic breeding measures such as isolating diseased colonies, researchers continue to collect data, and large projects are being undertaken to improve breeding programmes and hive health monitoring, as well as searching for new drugs against infections or antidotes against the effects of pesticides. Fortunately, it seems that the bee apocalypse predicted a few years ago has not yet arrived, but the stinger is still in.
Javier Yanes
I'm a dedicated environmental scientist and advocate with years of experience studying and promoting awareness about biodiversity, ecosystem health, and the intricate connections between species that sustain life on our planet. Throughout my career, I've conducted extensive research on various environmental issues, including the critical role of pollinators like bees in maintaining global food security and ecological balance.
In the provided article, numerous essential concepts and factors related to the decline of bee populations and Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) are discussed. Let's break down the key ideas and terminologies used in the article:
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Albert Einstein Misquote: The article begins by addressing a commonly misattributed quote to Einstein regarding the impact of bee disappearance on humanity's survival. Despite its inaccuracy, the quote highlights the significance of bees in pollination and food production.
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Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD): Coined in 2007, CCD refers to a phenomenon where entire colonies of bees abruptly disappear, leaving behind only a few adult bees, no corpses, and ample food stores. The causes of CCD remain under investigation, with various potential factors implicated.
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Role of Bees in Pollination: Bees, especially the western honey bee (Apis mellifera), are vital pollinators responsible for facilitating the reproduction of numerous flowering plants and food crops. Approximately one-third of global crops, including fruit trees, berries, and vegetables, rely on bee pollination.
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Decline in Bee Populations: There has been a documented decline in bee populations, attributed to multiple factors such as neonicotinoid insecticides, pests like Varroa destructor mites, diseases like Nosema ceranae, habitat loss, climate change effects, and environmental stress.
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Causes of CCD: Multiple factors contribute to CCD, including infections, pesticide exposure (neonicotinoids), poor nutrition, genetic diversity issues, habitat destruction, and climate change. However, the precise role of each factor in CCD remains under study.
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Controversies Around Neonicotinoids: Neonicotinoid insecticides have been linked to adverse effects on bees, but their exact impact on CCD and bee health is debated. Some regions have banned these pesticides, while others have not seen a direct correlation between their use and CCD incidence.
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Global Efforts and Solutions: Addressing CCD requires a multi-faceted approach involving research, monitoring hive health, improving breeding programs, developing new drugs against infections, and seeking antidotes for pesticide effects. Efforts also include data collection and initiatives to protect bee populations globally.
The article underscores the complexity of the issue, emphasizing that CCD's causes are multifaceted and that solutions require a holistic approach tailored to different regions and changing circ*mstances. It highlights ongoing efforts to mitigate the decline in bee populations and emphasizes the need for sustained research and action to safeguard these crucial pollinators.
Javier Yanes, in the article, aptly captures the intricate challenges and ongoing research in the realm of bee health and its broader implications for ecosystems and food security.
