Declining honey bee populations threatening crops

[senona]

Wild bees are disappearing from substantial swathes of farmlands threatening crops across the United States, University of Vermont (UVM) researchers have warned.

Researchers stressed that wild bees play a crucial role in agricultural pollination. Thus, pollinators like bees provide an essential ecosystem service to natural as well as agricultural ecosystems.
UVM researchers tracked wild bee populations in the agricultural regions of the country, including California, the southern Mississippi River Valley and the Great Plains, and created a map of bee populations. The data indicated that nearly 39 per cent of crop areas highly dependent on bees for pollination will suffer due to inadequate supply of wild bees.

Taylor Ricketts, the director of UVM’s Gund Institute, said, “It’s clear that pollinators are in trouble … But what has been less clear is where they are in the  

SOURCE


 Farmers and researchers have been worrying over the decline of honeybee colonies over the past several years,  because fewer bees mean having fewer crops and smaller amounts of agriculture produce

The U.S. is home to roughly 4,000 species of honey bees, however wild bee populations have contracted by 23 per cent between 2008 and 2013. The contraction is largely because of the destruction of their natural habitats. Increasing use of harmful pesticides, diseases and climate change are also having a disastrous impact on bees.

In addition, people have to acknowledge the significance of preservation applications that offer flowering environments, which are capable of supporting wild bees or other pollinators.

Overall, wild bees declined across almost one-fourth of the country between 2008 and 2013

The FreshPlaza notes that, A new study into the declining wild bee population reveals that if the present situation continues, farmers will face increasing costs and the problem could even destabilize the nation's crop production.

Might destabilize organic crops over time
But that is where Monsanto has an advantage sadly and they know it
(which many place blame on GM crops for decline in bees)