Globally, nationally, and locally there is an increasing threat that looms over our agricultural and horticultural societies. The population of pollinating bees has been steadily shrinking. Over the past 10 years, beekeepers have reported more than 30 percent hive losses globally. In the United States, beekeepers annually report a loss of 40 to 50 percent or more. Furthermore, our region has experienced a steady 30 to 40 percent loss each year. Frankly, these statistics are quite unsettling.
Though pollinators are small, they are not to be underestimated. According to the NRDC, cross-pollination helps at least 30 percent of the world's crops and 90 percent of our wild plants to thrive. Without them, we can expect the extinction of many everyday produce items. A few of the foods we would miss are apples, peaches, green beans, coffee, grapes, tomatoes and strawberries! Not only would fruits and vegetables be missing from our diets, but because bees pollinate the clover and alfalfa that is responsible for feeding cattle and other farm animals, milk, cheese, and other dairy products would be rare and of low quality. The rarity of all of these items would result in highly increased prices. …show more content…
There are many direct causes. For example, pesticides and insecticides, such as neonicotinoids are at fault. Neonicotinoids are a type of insecticide that is less toxic to birds and mammals, but is more toxic to insects than a normal insecticide. Due to their high toxicity, these neonicotinoids, as well as any chemical, can cause an ever more occurring incident called Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). Colony Collapse Disorder is an incident that befalls a hive when worker bees disappear from a colony, leaving behind a single queen bee and larvae. When this occurs, the hive will soon cease to
Though pollinators are small, they are not to be underestimated. According to the NRDC, cross-pollination helps at least 30 percent of the world's crops and 90 percent of our wild plants to thrive. Without them, we can expect the extinction of many everyday produce items. A few of the foods we would miss are apples, peaches, green beans, coffee, grapes, tomatoes and strawberries! Not only would fruits and vegetables be missing from our diets, but because bees pollinate the clover and alfalfa that is responsible for feeding cattle and other farm animals, milk, cheese, and other dairy products would be rare and of low quality. The rarity of all of these items would result in highly increased prices. …show more content…
There are many direct causes. For example, pesticides and insecticides, such as neonicotinoids are at fault. Neonicotinoids are a type of insecticide that is less toxic to birds and mammals, but is more toxic to insects than a normal insecticide. Due to their high toxicity, these neonicotinoids, as well as any chemical, can cause an ever more occurring incident called Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). Colony Collapse Disorder is an incident that befalls a hive when worker bees disappear from a colony, leaving behind a single queen bee and larvae. When this occurs, the hive will soon cease to