Why Bees Are Important

Honey bees can play an enormous role in producing the highest quality fruit and vegetables that we grow and consume. In 2000, honey bee pollination in the United States agricultural industry was estimated to have a value of $14.6 billion, which is a 36.3% increase from previous years (Morse and Calderone 2000). However, honey production is valued around $200 million, which is incredibly small in comparison. Out of the 115 leading agricultural crop plants worldwide, 75% or 87 of them depend on, or at least benefit from animal pollination (Klein et al. 2007). The remaining 28 crops rely on self-pollination or wind (Klein et al. 2007). This is a huge portion of important crops that require bees and other animal pollinators for their reproduction! Are you still wondering why honey bees are so important for growing and producing the food that you eat? Bartomeus et al. (2014) looked at how pollinators delivered benefits to different types of common crops that we consume. They found that if bees contribute in the production of fruits and vegetables, the quality improves and the yield will grow by up to 71% (Bartomeus et al. 2014). In other words, bees can help make crops not only look and taste better, but also help increase the amount that can be grown at a given time.

Why Are Bees Dying?

Unfortunately, bees have been dying at a terrifying rate. Koh et al. (2016) performed a large-scale analysis for the trends and status of wild bees in the United States, with a focus on correlations with impacts on pollination services. They found that, between 2008 and 2013, “bee abundance declined across 23% of US land area” (Koh et al. 2016). Furthermore, their research indicated that farmers in the US may experience increased costs and destabilization in crop production in accordance with the decline of pollinators (Koh et al. 2016). Unfortunately, domestic bees are showing declining trends as well. According to Bee Informed, 44% of beekeeper colonies were lost in the United States between 2015 and 2016. These trends, based on a survey looking at commercial as well as small-scale beekeepers, appear to be getting worse. We know that we need bees, and we know that they’re in trouble – so why are bees dying?

Why Are Bees Dying?

Unfortunately, bees have been dying at a terrifying rate. Koh et al. (2016) performed a large-scale analysis for the trends and status of wild bees in the United States, with a focus on correlations with impacts on pollination services. They found that, between 2008 and 2013, “bee abundance declined across 23% of US land area” (Koh et al. 2016). Furthermore, their research indicated that farmers in the US may experience increased costs and destabilization in crop production in accordance with the decline of pollinators (Koh et al. 2016). Unfortunately, domestic bees are showing declining trends as well. According to Bee Informed, 44% of beekeeper colonies were lost in the United States between 2015 and 2016. These trends, based on a survey looking at commercial as well as small-scale beekeepers, appear to be getting worse. We know that we need bees, and we know that they’re in trouble – so why are bees dying?

Why Are Bees Dying?

Unfortunately, bees have been dying at a terrifying rate. So, why are bees dying?

Bees are in danger of disappearing from our environment. With the expansion of human development, wild bees have been losing their natural habitats as the land transitions into industrial agriculture. Additionally, warming climate conditions have caused major shifts in plant communities, and therefore the behavior and survival of bees. Conte and Navajas (2008) studied the impacts of climate change on European honey bees and found that climate change could have a significant impact on factors related to stress and disease, and a combination of human-induced environmental changes could hinder the ability of bees to adapt to these changes.  Support efforts to reverse trends with value research and dollars.  Donate to Honey Bee Conservancy now.  (Donate Now)