Experts state that factors such as natural habitat loss and urban sprawl play a significant role in the decline of honey bees, and that climate change negatively affects bee populations by causing adverse impacts on plant diversity. Experts also note that the decrease in honey bees can lead to negative consequences for food security and ecosystem balance, emphasizing that one of the main reasons contributing to the decline of honey bee populations is the widespread use and exposure to pesticides.
Dr. Tuğba Kaman, Lecturer and Head of the Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Program at Üsküdar Üniversitesi Health Services Vocational School, evaluated the issue of bee deaths and articulated the measures that need to be taken to prevent the decline in honey bees.
Widespread Use of Pesticides Causes Decline in Honey Bee Populations!
“One of the primary reasons for the decline in honey bee populations is the widespread use and exposure to pesticides,” said Dr. Tuğba Kaman. “Especially insecticides like neonicotinoids (insecticides) weaken bees' immune systems. They disrupt navigation abilities, affecting reproductive success, which can lead to colony losses and population decline over time. Besides neonicotinoids, other pesticides (chemicals used in agriculture) such as organophosphates and pyrethroids also pose risks to honey bees. It has been reported that these chemicals alter the electrical field of plants, consequently changing how bees perceive flowers. Furthermore, these chemicals can have acute or non-lethal effects on bees.”
Natural Habitat Loss a Cause of Decline!
Dr. Tuğba Kaman explained that natural habitat loss, urban expansion, and monoculture farming areas also contribute to the decline of honey bees, stating, “Honey bees rely on diverse nectar and pollen sources throughout the year to meet their nutritional needs. The loss of these varied forage sources limits the availability of essential nutrients, weakening honey bee colonies and making them more vulnerable to other stressors.”
Varroa Mites; Weaken Bees' Immune Systems…
Dr. Tuğba Kaman noted that modern agricultural practices can prevent honey bees from finding flowering plants during critical foraging periods and lead to nutritional deficiencies, adding, “This can endanger the overall health and survival of bees. Honey bees also face significant challenges from parasites and diseases. The bee mite (Varroa destructor) is one of the most destructive pests affecting honey bee colonies worldwide. These parasitic mites infest honey bee hives, feed on the bees' hemolymph, and spread viruses. Varroa mites weaken bees' immune systems and shorten their lifespans. If left untreated, they can cause the collapse of entire colonies.”
Dr. Kaman also stated that honey bees are susceptible to various viral, bacterial, and fungal infections, noting that diseases like Deformed Wing Virus (DWV), which can cause deformities and reduced flight ability in bees, and Nosema, a fungal disease affecting bees' digestive systems, also weaken honey bee colonies.
Climate Change Also Affects Bee Population…
“The effects of climate change on plant diversity can also directly and indirectly impact bee populations, leading to a decline in bee populations,” said Dr. Tuğba Kaman. “Climate change can specifically affect the flowering period of some plants and cause the loss of flowers in others. Honey bees that cannot access sufficient pollen and nectar can experience losses due to starvation.”
Bees Facilitate Plant Reproduction by Transferring Pollen
Dr. Tuğba Kaman noted that bees and other insect pollinators are an important topic for our ecosystems and biodiversity, explaining, “The decline of honey bees can disrupt the complex web of interactions within ecosystems, potentially leading to imbalances and cascading effects on biodiversity. Bees are among the most important pollinators, facilitating plant reproduction by transferring pollen from one plant to another. A decrease in bee populations leads to reduced pollination. Reduced pollination by honey bees can lead to a decrease in plant species diversity and a change in the composition of plant communities.”
Bees Responsible for Pollination of a Significant Portion of World's Food Products
Dr. Tuğba Kaman also discussed the effects of declining bee populations on human health, stating, “Pollinators like bees are crucial for the global food supply chain. A great deal of dietary diversity is provided through pollination by bees. Furthermore, pollination can increase the yield, quality, and resilience of crops. Not all food crops are pollinated by bees, but bees are primary pollinators and are responsible for the pollination of a significant portion of the world's food products. Without pollinators, we cannot grow most of the crops we need for food. This would lead to a decline in the production of many fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Rising food prices and difficulty in finding some crops would become an issue.”
Emphasizing that a decrease in the number and diversity of bee and other pollinator populations will also affect food security, along with potential losses in agricultural yield, Dr. Tuğba Kaman said, “The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warns that if this trend of declining bee populations continues, it will have a major impact on global nutrition and food availability.”
Beekeepers Should Be Educated on Hive Management and Disease Prevention
Pointing to the importance of understanding the causes and effects of the decline in honey bees and developing effective conservation strategies, Dr. Tuğba Kaman stated that reducing pesticide use and creating bee-friendly habitats will play a vital role in mitigating the effects of honey bee decline. She also emphasized that beekeepers should be educated on hive management and disease prevention, promoting sustainable practices that improve bee health and reduce colony losses.