If the bees die we die. A saying that we have all heard when learning about our environment. Bees provide much needed pollen to our crops and flowers and without that pollen they would not be able to grow. In an article written by Centre for Ecology and Hydrology published in science daily they have found that not just bees but numerous pollinator species are disappearing from areas of Great Britain.
The Centre conducted a study that measured the presence of 353 wild bees and hoverfly species across the country between the years of 1980 to 2013. Their research showed that one third of those species have experienced some kind of decline in areas they were usually very populous. They also found that one tenth increased or were stable in population. On a more positive note they also found that there was a key increase in bees species that were responsible for pollinating flower crops the scientists believe that this is due to a large increase in flowering crops that were grown in Britain during the time of the study.
Overall, there showed that on average "the geographic range of bee and hoverfly species declined by a quarter. This is equivalent to a net loss of eleven species from each 1km square." The scientists also notes that there were more notable species loss was in northern Britain they determined this due to the result of climate change and that the bee species enjoy cooler temperatures and the changing climate is resulting in their dispersion. Dr. Gary Powney of the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology stated in the article that "there is no one single cause for these differences but habitat loss is a likely key driver of the declines."
The loss of these pollinator species is a huge deal for not only our environment, but also our way of life the researchers involved in this study state that "While the increase in key crop pollinators is good news, they are still a relatively small group of species. Therefore, with species having declined overall, it would be risky to rely on this group to support the long-term food security for our country. If anything happens to them in the future there will be fewer other species to 'step up' and fulfil the essential role of crop pollination." These bees and other species play a vital role in not only our ability to cultivate crops but also the biodiversity of our planet because they are also a part of a food chain that exists out side of humans, but their continued decrease will effect them as well.
The final section of this article calls for us to compile more data on the decreasing pollinator species and to find ways to help them so they are able to continue their survival and be able to continue to enrich our planet and our lifestyles with the foods and plant life that we so enjoy.
The problem that this article is tackling is the decline in bee and other pollinators populations. This is a huge issue that our society has been aware of but has not done anything to help. There is a popular saying about the bees which is if the bees die we die. Its a cute little saying but it highlights the same issue this article is. Climate change is destroying species that our vital to our own survival and if that's not enough incentive to take climate change seriously I don't know what it.
The audience should care about this article because it is an issue that is going to eventually directly effect everyone of us. While this article talks about Great Britain it is not long before the headline reads bee populations down in America, and by that point we will be in to deep. One possible solution that could help the bee populations is to take an aggressive stance on climate change. Focus on not only getting America to induce climate aware legislation, but also the rest of the world. If we take a stance on reversing or alleviating climate change we could see a change in populations of not just bees but other animals as well.
