Bees Reducing in Numbers

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Lizzie_Fisher]Lizzie Fisher
There are approximately 20,000 known species of bees around the world with the honey bees as the most common. There is no doubt about the importance of bees to man's survival. A German professor and bee expert Joergen Tautz said: "Bees are vital to bio diversity." They pose a more important role that poultry with regards to human nutrition. They work for our welfare as they are the chief pollinators in agriculture. But it has been a mystery until now how bee colonies are nearly facing extinction. Over the years, there has been a drastic loss of bee colonies and the result is still unknown therefore is the cure. This has a huge impact on the environment since it relies on the bees for their pollinating abilities. Agriculture, animals who feed on plants and crops, and animals who feed on them will eventually die off. Thus, humans who depend on these will definitely not survive also.
Although the loss of bee colonies is still unexplainable, experts point to factors which are possible causes of bee depopulation. They look at a multi-complicated plethora of factors which include certain diseases to nature's blunders to man-made destruction's. The loss of colonies reported was being referred to as Colony Collapse Disorder which encompasses causes such as mite infestations. These parasite invasions weakens the hives and results in the deaths of thousands of honey bee colonies. Specifically, these mites are called the Varroa mites which lodge themselves in the bees' tracheas and impede the circulation.
Another factor in the reduction of the number of bees is the deterioration, fragmentation and disrupt in the natural habitat of these insects. Any disorder in their habitats disturbs the bees' life cycles and reduces their honey production. More so, this can lead to increased susceptibility of diseases between colonies. Pathogens can easily penetrate into hives and destroy them if left uncontrolled.
Climate change is one of the natural factors in the decline of bees' population. Change in seasons and weather patterns affect the plants' growth and maturation. Therefore, nectar production is also expected to drop.
The use of toxic pesticides, insecticides and herbicides also affect the pollinators in their duty to the crops. This can impede the exposure of bees to the plants especially during flowering season.
Experts are now addressing some of these concerns. Studies have been made for the conservation of the habitats of bees. Alternative pesticides have also been used like botanical and natural herbicides. All pesticides are subject to approval before they are being introduced to the market. Also, beekeepers and gardeners made sure to put plants which are pollinator friendly to help with the feeding and increase colonization.
Spreading awareness of the importance of bees is also a good idea.
Everyone should be aware of the importance of these little creatures to us humans. The reduction of their number of colonies should be one of our main concerns. Every factor should be addressed and solved as this affect our daily lives directly.
We should be worried before they reach total extinction, because if that happens to the bees, it will happen to us too.
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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Bees-Reducing-in-Numbers&id=6526799] Bees Reducing in Numbers