Honeybees Declining Worldwide Due to Rising Temperatures
Honeybees, one of the most important pollinators on Earth, have been steadily declining in numbers across the globe due to increased heat.
According to the Guardian, honeybee colonies are known for their ability to thermoregulate. During hot weather, worker bees huddle together and fan their wings to generate cooling breezes throughout the hive.
Climate Change: A Major Factor
However, the climate crisis has caused average temperatures to rise and has led to extreme heat events which are taking a toll on honeybee colonies.
A study published in the journal Frontiers in Bee Science has determined that the majority of young honeybees cannot survive at temperatures exceeding 36 degrees Celsius (96.8 degrees Fahrenheit).
Optimal Incubation Temperature
The research team reviewed 180 years of literature and found that all studied honeybee species have an optimal incubation temperature of 28 to 32 degrees Celsius (82.4 to 89.6 degrees Fahrenheit). If a colony cannot keep the hive below 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit), the brood may die.
"That explains why we are losing honeybees all over the world, particularly in North America and Europe," said Peter Kevan, lead author of the study and a professor in the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of Guelph in Canada.
Global Impact
Dave Goulson, a professor of biology at the University of Sussex in England who was not involved in the study, has studied honeybees for three decades. Goulson noted that most insects are more common in the tropics, but bumblebees are found as far afield as the Alps, the UK, and even the Arctic. This makes them particularly vulnerable to climate change and, in particular, to global warming.
According to Goulson, the concern for bumblebee populations is now twice as great because of the increased temperatures.
Importance of Honeybees
Honeybees are key pollinators for wildflowers and crops, including tomatoes, beans, apples, blueberries, blackcurrants, and raspberries. To prevent the decline of honeybees, scientists suggest increasing habitat, reducing pesticide use, and ensuring global warming is kept below 2 degrees Celsius.
Summary (200 words)
Heatwaves are contributing to a decline in honeybee populations across the globe. Honeybees are unable to withstand prolonged temperatures above 36 degrees Celsius (96.8 degrees Fahrenheit), as this leads to the death of brood. The rise in global temperatures due to climate change is creating extreme heat events that are taking a toll on honeybee colonies.
Honeybees are essential pollinators, playing a crucial role in the reproduction of both wildflowers and crops. To protect honeybee populations, it is imperative to increase their habitat, reduce the use of pesticides, and mitigate climate change by keeping global warming below 2 degrees Celsius.