Bee Population Decline Analysis

With devastation around the globe, it is no wonder that bees have only recently become an importance. Consequently, the bees’ current situation is now considered a global issue, risking the health of our ecosystem and health of the human race. There is a need for people to recognize just how significant the decline and possible extinction of bees will affect us, and the impact it will have on not only the ecosystem, but also the high demand of key crops, fruits, and vegetables. In the articles “Bees in Decline” by Reyes Tirado, Gergely Simon, and Paul Johnston, and “Bee-Ware Investigating Bee Colony Decline and its Ecological Effects on Human Health” by Daryl A. Mangosing, both authors have imperative evidence to support their main ideas.

With collaborative efforts from researchers, bee farmers, and advocacy groups, both authors are able to shed light on a matter that presents initially as insignificant. Yet, when we are presented with the supporting evidence, sense of urgency, and the mutual relationship between man and bee, it becomes certain just how significant the decline in the bee population really is, and how society, together, can have a positive impact. The authors are able to support their research through several means: reinforcing through repetition, the significance of the declining bee population; the importance of their role in our ecosystem and agriculture with consistent evidence; through prognostication, what impact the decline in bees will have on mankind, and by taking the necessary action, we can have a positive part in the future of our bees.

The authors construct a deliberate order to delve deeper into the specifics of the, what, why, and how, to further support the inevitable affect, not only on human health, but also the health of our global ecosystem. Mangosing, quoting the book “Keeping the Bees” makes an impact when using the statement, “We could reach a situation where the number of pollinating species falls below a threshold and the ecological system collapses, becoming less diverse, less aesthetically pleasing, and less ecologically (not to mention nutritionally) productive.” By reiterating this statement, words such as “collapse” and “less”, creates a moment of thought, conceivably even concern for the audience, encouraging the question ‘what

are the causes for the decline in bees?’ This is where we start to see the sequence of order that both authors have created. Mangosing underlines the synthesis of causes through the use of this in-depth statement, “Pesticide chemicals, such as neonicotinoids, appear to impact the immune system, thereby making them more susceptible to new diseases transmitted by other bees brought all over the place for pollination; it also makes them less capable of finding their way home, causing disorientation and a loss of ability to learn and communicate. Nutrition and feeding from only a single crop without a broad range of flowers when transported far distances to pollinate increase the bees’ vulnerability to contracting diseases, especially if supplement diets like high fructose corn syrup are contaminated with chemicals that cause ulcers, dysentery, and early death”. The idea of urgency is fortified by words such as, “vulnerability”, “contracting disease”, and “early death”, because as humans, we can relate to those specific words, which commonly are perceived as negative, and unsettling when referring to our own health. This form of diction through use of vocabulary, and word usage, may even instill a sense of, ‘If the bees are sick and dying, how will that affect me?’ Meanwhile, Tirado, Simon, and Johnston were able to bring significance to the key factors with simplicity by stating, “Nonetheless, the most important factors affecting pollinator health relate to diseases and parasites, and
to wider industrial agricultural practices that affect many aspects of a bee’s life cycle. Underlying all the other factors, climate change is also putting increased strains on pollinator health. Some pesticides pose direct risk to pollinators.” Both authors portray a sense of global responsibility, creating the idea that everyone from the avid honey fan, to industrial agricultural companies plays a role in regenerating, and sustaining the bee colonies. Mangosing supports the modest, yet effective ways that society can take personal accountability for their own future wellbeing, when he uses the statement, “The average person can do several things to bolster bees and their health. This includes planting a wide variety of bee-friendly flowers and avoiding the use of pesticides as well as eating food grown without them.” Concurrently, Tirado, Simon, and Johnston shed the light on the responsibilities held by the government bodies, and industrial agriculture companies by reinforcing their obligation in the solution when stating, “On the other hand, agriculture systems that work with biodiversity and without chemicals, such as ecological farming systems, can benefit pollinator communities, both managed and wild. By increasing habitat heterogeneity
for bees, for example, ecological mixed-cropping systems can provide additional flower resources for pollinators. This emphasizes the potential beneficial roles of ecological/ organic agriculture methods.” It is evident through both articles, that unity is necessary when working towards a global solution for saving the bees from complete elimination. Both authors reveal, and accentuate that idea that if preventative measures are not taken now, it is unknown where mankind where will be with out the necessary pollinators. However, by reducing or even prohibiting use of chemicals on crops, and encouraging greater investments from local farmers, and industrial agriculture companies to incorporate a mixed cropping system, is a start in the right direction. Respectively, this would give bees a fighting chance in having healthy immune systems, which gives them the ability to conquer the inevitable parasites. Ultimately, this will profess the importance for the bigger picture of optimal global health.
Globally, people need to recognize the cause of what is plummeting the bee colonies in multiple regions of the world, and understand the effects it will have on our daily living.

Then, further consider the effects it will have on themselves as individuals, and society in the future. Throughout both articles there is the use of research, and statistics to solidify the urgency of the decline in bees. Tirado, Simon, and Johnston, use statistics showing us that, “Without insect pollination, about one third of the crops we eat would have to be pollinated by other means, or they would produce significantly less food. Up to 75% of our crops would suffer some decrease in productivity”. The use of percentage validates that the statistics provided are supported by research. Consequently, we know individuals who have attained a higher level of education do research and in today’s society, education is greatly respected, therefore persuading the reader to believe in the information that the article provides. Furthermore, Mangosing underlines the extreme level of which we, as a society rely on pollinators to sustain our sources of food, and ideal health. His statement further supports this, “Thus, the trend of dying bee colonies can potentially lead to human health issues and serious effect on the world food security, since 35% of the human diet is thought to benefit from pollinators”. Both authors validate the role that bees have in food production, and global health through the use

of relative facts, and informative statistics. Additionally, it is indicated in both articles, the effects that the decline in bee populations will have on human food security, through pointing out the key crops that are vastly eaten, and in fact are in high demand by today’s society. Mangosing states, “The food we eat from the most nutritious crops in our diet – key fruits and vegetables – as well as some crops used in fodder meat and dairy production significantly depends on the key ecosystem service that honey bees provide”. Mangosing uses this statement to reveal the idea of what humans rely on, perhaps to encourage a relationship with the importance of the issue of declining bee colonies. Providing the knowledge about the role that bees have in the production of our wide array of fruits and vegetables, will allow people to see the significant impact the decline of bee colonies will have on themselves and their families.
It is said in the article by Tirado, Simon, and Johnston, “Bees are reaching their tipping point because they are expected to perform in an increasingly inhospitable world” This emphasizes the idea that is society does not accept greater responsibility in sustaining a healthy bee population, the demise of our sacred bees is inevitable. Through a greater understanding of the impact that bees have on the human food production and the ecosystem, and what role our agricultural procedures have on the devastating decline of bee colonies, we are able to introduce regulations for pesticide use, create diversity in both managed and wild flora, and achieve innovative ways to sustain a healthy bee population. This of course, will leave a positive imprint on all living organisms around the globe.