Precarious Predicament for Pollinators?

I've been reading and hearing a lot of talk recently about the ominous phenomenon of bees dying all over the world. Most of what I've read on the subject points to pesticides as a possible reason why the bees are dying. Apparently, many farmers are spraying pesticides on their crops at the wrong times, despite the fact that spraying at these critical times can have a profoundly negative effect on the bee population and consequently, the production yield of various fruits and vegetables. Obviously our society's current over-use of pesticides reflects a short-sided viewpoint on the natural life cycle since bees and other pollinating animals are responsible for 80% of the world's crop production.

Pollinators, mostly insects, are indispensable partners for an estimated one-out-of-every-three mouthfuls of all the food, spices, or condiments we consume. This is an estimated twenty-billion dollar industry in the U.S. and pollinators are threatened by a variety of factors besides pesticide misuse. The loss of their natural habitat in dead trees or fence posts on ever-decreasing farmlands across the country has also contributed to the decline of bee populations.

[Photo: Márcia Grilo]

According to a friend of mine who is currently cultivating bees and honey in his own backyard in Salt Lake City, it has been theorized that the increased use of cell phones and other communication technologies, may be causing some kind of interference with the bee's ability to communicate, and consequently, to find their way back to the hives. More study needs to be done on the subject of cell phone use and other radio frequencies that are being emitted into the atmosphere and how this effects our ecosystem.

In the meantime, one way that we can support the natural life cycle is to either buy or grow our own organic foods. Even when I was a poor college student barely able to support myself, I never considered the price of the foods that I put into my body. Food is such as essential part of life and I will continue to pay more for organic meats and vegetables because I care about what I put in my body and about how these foods were cultivated for the long-term health of the entire planet. Organic production has proven to help protect the environment and wildlife habitats while helping to conserve and promote species diversity. These are just a few of the reasons why I believe that organic agriculture is not only the best way to maintain my own health but the best way to support a sustainable future.

For more information about bees and pollination, check out the following web site: www.pollinator.org

If you are interested in reading more in the following topic, "Pesticide suspected in global decline of bees" (scroll down for article)

The United States Post Office Postal News published an article entitled, "The Birds and The Bees," online at www.usps.com.From the article: "Populations of some animal pollinators appear to be declining."

Do you think cell phones and other communication technologies have any kind of negative effect on the bee population or the animal world in general?

Comments

[Ian Hoyer]

There was an interesting interview with several bee experts on Salon about a month ago. One of the things they all agreed upon
was that there is no evidence that cellphones are effecting bees.

"All the explanations that bees became disoriented by cellphone radiation, or this, that and the other thing -- there is zero evidence for any of it."
-Jeffery Pettis, research leader of the USDA's honeybee lab

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2007/05/29/missing_bees/index.html

[ConBioAdam]

There's no denying the drop in pollinator populations, or the major role they play in food production, and therefore our economy OR the benefits of eating a organic diet, both on a health level, and a environmental level, but I would like to know more about the basis of the cell phone theory.

[CM]

"First of all I have to clear up that our research is specifically not related on the massive losses of bees around the world lately (often called "CCD"). We study the influence of electromagnetic fields (especially of DECT-mobile phone) on the learning ability of bees. So we can not explain the CCD-phenomenon itself..." -Prof Hermann Stever

For more about the initial study:

http://forager.newsvine.com/_news/2007/04/18/670272-honey-bee-cell-phone-study-is-questionable-at-best

[Rob M.]

The decline in bee populations is occurring because of a oriental version of a bee virus. Pesticides nor cell phones are the primary culprit as bee population reductions have been seen in areas that don't use pesticides or have cell phone towers.

Stop blaming technology for natural problems! I've pasted a counter study below.

Scientists Identify Pathogens That May Be Causing Global Honey-Bee Deaths

Science Daily — Researchers have identified potential culprits behind the wide-spread catastrophic death of honey bees around North America and Europe.

ECBC researchers have identified potential culprits behind the wide-spread catastrophic death of honey bees around North America and Europe. (Credit: Scott Bauer, USDA/ARS)

A team of scientists from Edgewood Chemical Biological Center and University of California San Francisco identified both a virus and a parasite that are likely behind the recent sudden die-off of honey-bee colonies.

Using a new technology called the Integrated Virus Detection System (IVDS), which was designed for military use to rapidly screen samples for pathogens, ECBC scientists last week isolated the presence of viral and parasitic pathogens that may be contributing to the honeybee loss.

Confirmation testing was conducted over the weekend by scientists at the University of California San Francisco. ECBC scientists presented the results of their studies yesterday to a United States Department of Agriculture working group, hastily convened to determine next steps.

For the past year, experts have observed a marked decline in the honey bee population, with entire colonies collapsing without warning. Approximately 50 percent of hives have disappeared and researchers around the country are scrambling to find out why. Scientists have termed this phenomenon "Colony Collapse Disorder" and fear that without honey bees to pollinate crops like fruits, vegetables, and almonds the loss of honey bees could have an enormous horticultural and economic impact around the world.

ECBC is one of many academic, commercial and government concerns studying the honey bee population decline. ECBC’s role will be to identify the extent of the problem and conduct ongoing detection activities.

Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by Edgewood Chemical Biological Center.

[lynn_hill]

Hi Ian!
Thank you for posting the information and research about why the bees are dying all over the world. It seems that both a virus and a parasite are the culprits rather than pesticides and possible cell phone use as some research speculated. Thanks for your comment!
Lynn

[patagoniacommunity.blogspot.com]

Thanks for the insight. Here in California's Central Valley where agriculture reigns, this issue has gotten much attention. I hope this hits home with the farmers who are perpetuating the problem and I hope that the push for organic food steers some away from pesticides altogether.