Disappearing Bees

Disappearing Bees Honey bees are an essential part of ecosystems everywhere, but since 2006, a disturbing trend has started to emerge. Bees everywhere are disappearing, leaving the future of much of the world's food supply in question. Below is some information about the issue, and how you can help. How Many Bees Have Been Affected? Many plants worldwide depend on bees for fertilization. Without fertilization, the flowers that U.S. Honeybee Population 2006-2010 these plants grow would not develop into the fruits, vegetables, and other plants that we depend on. Cotton is highly dependent on bee fertilization. Without bees, up to 80% of the cotton crop would not develop. Also, the grains and hay that beef and chicken farmers depend on to feed 4 mil their livestock would also become increasingly scarce, raising the prices of meat. 3 mil Colony Collapse Disorder Effects 2 mil 15% 30% 2.6 1 mil Normal Winter Winter Colony Millions of Bees Colony Losses Losses 2006-2010 Lost 2006-2010 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 What is Causing the Problems? Bees are extremely sensitive to the environments they live in. There are many specula- tions of what exactly is causing bees to die off at the rate they currently are, but some of the most popular theories are pesticide use, parasites, genetic problems, poor nutrition, or GMO plants. Colony Collapse Disorder Effects Beekeepers in U.S. Reporting Colony Loss Due to CCD States Reporting Honeybee Beekeepers Worldwide Reporting Losses Related to CCD Colony Loss Due to CCD 88 28% 65% 44% Colony Collapse Disorder Poor Nutrition Migratory Stress Colony Collapse Disorder, or COCD, is a relatively new phenomenon that began in early 2006. Beekeepers reported abandoned hives that lacked any signs of dead bees around them. The cause of CCD is still unknown. Parasites Contaminated Water Pesticides Why Does This Effect Us? Many plants worldwide depend on bees for fertilization. Without fertilization, the Some of the Plants that Would be Effected: flowers of these plants would not develop into the fruits, vegetables, and other plants that we depend on. Cotton is highly dependent on bee fetilization. Without bees, up to 80% of the cotton crop would not develop. Also, the grains and hay that beef and chicken farmers depend on to feed their livestock would also become increasingly scarce, raising the prices of meat. Blueberry Almond Coconut Onion Cucumber Wheat 23% 60% 70% Coffee Potato Watermelon Peach Apple Eggplant Pollination Depen- dent Crops in the U.S. Grains Dependent on Bee Pollination Potential Increase in Food Prices Avocado Lemon Orange Raspberry Kiwi Cotton Cherry Peas Garlic Strawberry Lime Beans How Can You Help? As previously mentioned, some of the reasons for these bee deaths are pesti cides, stress, and lack of food sources. Here are some ways that you can help bees recover. Many of them are easy, such as purchasing organic products whenever available, or using less pesticides on gardens and lawns. Be sure to check local and state laws if there are any restrictions on your amateur beekeeping. Buy Organic Produce Plant More Flowers Support Local Beekeepers Pesticides are bad for humans, Bees require a lot of pollen to Seek out your local beekeepers and they're even worse for bees. produce their food. If you want to buy their honey. There are Because organic farms grow to support the bees that roam many health benefits to eating local honey, and helping small beekeepers stay in business is good for everyone. You're likely to find them selling honey at any fruits and vegetables without through your yard, plant some pesticides, they are naturally things which will provide that bee-frien dly places that actually need bees to grow their crops. For affordable organics try a pollen for them. Flowering clover is a great choice. Bees love it, and clover makes attractive farmer's market and weekend local farmer's market. and robust ground cover. flea markets.