Decrease In Bee Populations Worries Editor
Often seen as merely a nuisance, people generally do not look upon bees favorably. I attribute much of the disdain of the public to one simple thing, being unaware.
Many people do not understand the pivotal role of pollination that bee plays in our ecosystem.
Bees are an intricate part of the agriculture sector and are responsible for a great deal of the food eaten on a daily basis in the Unites States.
In fact according to a report from the USDA Forest Service, entitled “Bee Basics,” bees pollinate 75 percent of all fruits, nuts and vegetables grown in the United States.
In addition according to a 2011 report from the National Resources Defense Council, entitled
“Why We Need Bees,” bees are responsible for the cross pollination of 30 percent of crops worldwide and 90 percent of wild species of plants.
With that being said, bee populations have been on a drastic decline, according to a June 2014 press release from The White House Press Secretary’s Office reports that since 2006 on average beekeepers have seen a 30 percent decline in bee population each winter.
These startling revelations have inspired multiple world leaders to intiate action in order to impede the recent steady decline of bee populations both in the United States and elsewhere. The European Union has suspended the use of neonicotinoids, an insecticide containing nicotine, that is often cited as a major factor in decreasing bee populations. President Obama has taken action to address the problem of decreasing bee populations, responding by creating a Pollinator Health Task Force.
Overall, the role played by bees is irreplaceable in agriculture and food supply. In addition, the economic repercussions of massive amounts of crops would be devastating.
In summary, people need to appreciate and recognize the immense value of bees in both our ecosystem and agricultural economy.
