The Honey Bee And The Environment

    Bees have been an essential pollinator for many angiosperms for millions of years. They are one of the few insects recognized for their critical role in ecosystem management and are typically associated with feelings of pleasantry and awe by many gardeners and farmers. However, as Ohio State University has determined, “ Since 2006, commercial beekeepers in the United States have reported honeybee colony loss rates averaging 30 percent each winter”. This statistic is startling, as nearly 90 percent of crop yields depend on pollination from bees. What is causing these losses in colonies is mainly due to abiotic and biotic factors that intertwine with each other, although in this blog, we will focus primarily on abiotic factors. Humans must recognize the importance of maintaining a healthy balance and our own footprint that affects our fellow bees. The first step to achieving this is to acknowledge what factors directly affect the honeybee population.    ...