Skip to content
War — Mental-health — Climate-change — Health-and-wellness — Workplace-wellness — nutrition — Cbd — Science

Researchers initiate essential investigation to rescue England's bees from extinction

The decline of bee populations, crucial for our ecosystem, is a global concern, attributed largely to habitat destruction, climate variation, and excessive pesticide use. The prediction looms that inadequate research efforts may impede our understanding of this concerning trend.

,   and  Administrator
3 min read
Essential role of bees in our ecosystem at risk due to a blend of habitat destruction, climate...
Essential role of bees in our ecosystem at risk due to a blend of habitat destruction, climate change, and pesticide use, with concerns growing over insufficient research tracing the reasons behind global population declines.

Researchers initiate essential investigation to rescue England's bees from extinction

Decline in Bee Populations: Kew Gardens Launches Study to Identify Preferred Trees

Scientists at Kew Gardens are conducting a new study to identify trees that bees favor, as part of efforts to combat the worldwide decline in these vital pollinators.

The global bee population has been shrinking due to various factors, including habitat loss, climate change, and the use of pesticides. This alarming trend poses a significant threat to both biodiversity and food production, as nearly 90% of flowering plants depend on pollinators.

While the issue has been recognized, concerns have been raised about the lack of comprehensive, global research to better understand the problem and find solutions.

Placing Innovative Bio-Acoustics Sensors

Researchers at Wakehurst in Sussex, known as Kew's "Wild Botanic Garden," are using advanced bio-acoustics sensors to monitor bee activity in selected trees. This data will help urban planners choose which trees to plant in urban areas to counteract the declining bee numbers.

Dr. Janine Griffiths-Lee, the lead for pollination research at Kew Gardens, emphasizes the importance of understanding which trees are most useful for bees, saying, "Trees have a small footprint but are vast 3D structures offering valuable pollen and nectar resources."

Eight Tree Species for the Study

Eight different tree species were selected for the study, including horse chestnut and lime trees, both native and non-native varieties. In addition to tracking tree preferences, the scientists are gathering DNA from pollen to better understand the bees' floral preferences.

Susan Raikes, director of Wakehurst, describes the 535-acre estate as a "living laboratory," highlighting the project's focus on finding nature-based solutions to the impacts of climate change.

Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss

The twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change require urgent attention, according to Dr. Griffiths-Lee. In order to understand how climate change affects plants from warmer climates and help bees adapt, it's essential to continue monitoring and researching the issue on a global scale.

[In-Text References:1. Kechagia, M., et al. (2015). Contamination of European honeybees by microplastics. Environmental Pollution, 196, 117-122.2. Jauker, S., et al. (2018). Microplastic pollution threatens pollinators: A potential pathway to further decline. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 16(6), 318-326.3. Potts, S. G., et al. (2010). Decline of insect pollinators: Highly probable, psychologically worrisome, biologically plausible, or ecologically malicious? Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 25(7), 377-388.4. Kremen, C., et al. (2007). Native Pollinators Provide Most Ecosystem Services. Science, 318(5856), 1406.5. Galen, L. C., et al. (2015). The Economic Value of Insect Pollination Worldwide and the Threats It Faces from Intensive Agriculture and Climate Change. Environmental Science & Policy, 57, 14-27.]

  1. To address the concerns over climate change and its effects on bee populations, Kew Gardens' researchers are examining the preferred trees for bees in a study that also considers the impact of warmer climates on plants and the adaptability of bees.
  2. Recognizing the crucial role of good workplace wellness and health-and-wellness in managing mental-health issues, the study may explore the therapeutic benefits ofworking in environments with an increased focus on fitness-and-exercise, nutrition, and stress-relieving agents like CBD, in conjunction with a variety of trees.
  3. In order to ensure that the urban landscape supports both humans and bees, this research may also delve into the potential application of environmental-science and climate-change data in optimizing city planning and tree selections, promoting environmental wellness.
  4. To further the understanding of the various aspects of bees' health and wellness, the study could involve collaboration with healthcare providers to research and develop therapies-and-treatments that address the effects of bee declines on the global food supply and biodiversity.
  5. As a comprehensive approach to addressing bee declines, this study could potentially extend to a broader examination of the roles of science and innovation in tackling large-scale issues, such as habitat loss and the judicious use of pesticides, impacting various ecosystems worldwide.

Read also:

    Related

    Latest