Researchers Believe They Have Discovered Why Bee Populations Are Disappearing Around the World

In the past 20 years, more than 90% of bumblebees worldwide have died out, causing a massive ripple effect throughout agriculture and nature.

Environment America, a network made up of more than 30 state environmental protection groups, have pinpointed problems with pesticides, urban development, and crushing changes due to climate change.

Without bees, no plants could be pollinated and, therefore, no fruit, vegetables, trees, or bushes could grow.

Without the little stripped friends, estimations suggest it could cost UK farmers a staggering $2.25 million just to manually pollinate their crops, according to Woodland Trust.

However, over the past several decades, it has become increasingly apparent to researchers that the bees are dying out, and now scientists think they know why. 

The scientists who took part in the study say that the rising temperatures around the globe are the reason for the massive decline in bee numbers.

Lead researcher Peter Kevan, says that “The decline in populations and ranges of several species of bumblebees may be explained by issues og overheating of the nests and the brood.”

The issue with rising heat causes the bumblebee brood to lose a large amount of larvae in the spring and summer.

Although the researchers began their investigation in bee populations around North America, they found startling similarities across the world.

Researchers are now worried that the temperature of the earth may reach a certain threshold that will ultimately inhibit bees from living in a particular region. 

In their studies, the researchers discovered that, in some instances, bees resemble humans as they thrive under certain temperature thresholds. 

However, the ideal temperature is just below 90 at 89.6 Fahrenheit, which equates to around 30 and 32 Celsius, depending on the particular kind of species. 

When a colony or nest becomes too hot, the larvae and younger bees cannot thrive. Also, bees of full maturity have been known to succumb to heat stroke inside of a hive.

“We can surmise that nest temperatures above the mid-30s Celsius would likely be highly detrimental and that above about 35 Celsius, death would occur, probably quite quickly,” Kevan said.

They exist with an extremely delicate ecosystem. When one aspect of their environment changes, they might not be able to adapt and overcome it. This is the main reason why full hives are dying out.

Another essential species to the survival of many crops, the honeybee cannot survive in temperatures that regularly hit above 35 degrees celsius.

Kevan plans to inspire future scientists to study similar issues around the globe to come to a concrete resolution.

Some experts surmise that the bee’s situation may worsen as countries around the world continue to burn fossil fuels, which unfortunately trap heat from the sun, further increasing temperatures. 

“Excessively high temperatures are more harmful to most animals and plants than cool temperatures,” said the researcher. 

“When conditions are cool, organisms that do not metabolically regulate their body temperatures simply slow down, but when temperatures get too high, metabolic processes start to break down and cease. Death ensues quickly,” he said. 

So, even if a small number of bees are able to withstand the warmer temperatures, the ones who cannot pose a significant threat to the future of the colony. 

“Excessive heat is clearly a major issue for perhaps most species of bumblebees,” the study says, “and it is the factor considered in most detail for the effects of climatic warming.”

These include the loss of habitat, diseases, increased use of pesticides and the loss of wildflowers had all played a role in the premature deaths of many bees. 

The US Forest Service claims that two species have already gone extinct in recent years. This has led experts to question whether more should be done to ensure the safety of the remaining species of bees.