Chapter 5 - Decline of Bees and Other Pollinators

Abstract

Declines of bees and other pollinating insects have been documented for a long time, but attracted the attention of the world's press with the phenomenon of “colony collapse disorder” of honey bees in the USA in 2006. This has led to much research into the causes. The scientific consensus is that there is no single cause of pollinator declines, but that the primary long-term driver is land-use changes, resulting in reduced food and fewer nest sites. In addition, weather causes short-term fluctuations, and many other interacting environmental causal factors occur, including pests and diseases, and farming practices including the use of pesticides, and climate change.