Studies have unequivocally shown a consistent decline in bee populations over the last decade, and experts are diligently working to find ways to reverse the trend. But is it too late to save our bees, which are responsible for pollinating a staggering 150 different crop plants, and our bee-dependent lifestyle?
In a new feature article published in Statistics Views, Dr. Leila Battison notes the difficulties in promoting awareness and action against the loss of pollinators due to the lack of clear cause and effect. The bee decline is linked to a complex interaction of multiple factors, meaning that there is no definite course of action for policy-makers.
Dr. Battison explains that additional studies are required to isolate the most significant factors, and she advocates for taking action to protect, not exploit, our planet’s biodiversity before we reach a point of no return for our overstretched insect workforce. “We are becoming immune to the many news reports of dropping pollinator numbers. People want to be presented with a clear problem and a definitive solution, but that is hard to do when we don’t yet fully understand the effects of our actions on insect populations,” she said.
Access the article at: http://www.statisticsviews.com/details/feature/8230461/Bees-and-biodiversity.html
For more information about this study please contact, sciencenewsroom@wiley.com.