Powerpoint presentation on local environment issue or problem
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PresentationExample1.pptxAn Evaluation of the Devastating Decline of
Nature’s Best Pollinator
Connecticut’s Honey Bee Crisis
Image retrieved from http://images.wisegeek.com/
bee-on-yellow-flower-with-pollen.jpg
Image retrieved from http://www.pestworld.org/pest-guide/stinging-insects/honeybees/
For the past 60 years, honey bee populations have been declining all across the U.S.
3.5 million colonies (beehives) lost from 1947 – 2014
Loss attributed to:
Pesticide use
Loss of habitat
Disease
Climate change
Honey bee populations saw slight increase in 2015 but are still several million bees below past population size
(Hladky, 2016)
The Decline of the Honey Bee
Number of Honey Bee Colonies
(in millions)
Number of Colonies Lost (in milions) 1947 1970 1990 2014 2015 2016 6 4 3 2.5 2.87 2.59
Connecticut one of the hardest hit states
Recent honey bee colony losses at an all-time high:
2014 – 2015: 57.5% loss
2015 – 2016: near 50% loss
Increasing number of bees lost in Summer months when they should be thriving
Beekeepers not able to replace lost colonies at a sustainable rate
Surviving colonies are being divided to create new ones
Overall health of bee colonies suffer as a result
Statewide conditions are not conducive to best support bee population
Agriculture is suffering due to massive honey bee loss
Honey bees responsible for pollinating large majority of the state’s $3.5 billion agricultural industry
(Boughton, 2013)
Connecticut’s Troubles with Honey Bees
How to Combat Honey Bee Loss
Restore essential honey bee habitats to the point where colonies are able to survive sustainably
Mass plantings of bee-friendly plants and flowering trees such as goldenrod, lavender and tupelo (Baskind, 2011)
Designate protected areas for bees to establish colonies naturally
Wooded areas with hollowed out trees
Areas that allow beehives to thrive with minimal interference and disturbance (Baskind, 2011)
Increase number of beehives managed by beekeepers both commercially and privately
Reduce/manage threats to honey bee colony survival
Eliminate wide use of pesticides that are harmful to bees such as neonicotinoids
Manage common pests that plague bee colonies
Varroa mites (cited by beekeepers as largest contributor to colony destruction)
Hive beetles
Wax moths
(“ARS Honey”, 2016)
Rising cost of purchasing/renting beehives
Causes additional financial burden to beekeepers
Beekeepers can no longer afford to manage the number of colonies they have had in the past (“Fact Sheet”, 2014)
Substantial amounts of land needed to establish a beneficial number of healthy bee colonies
Land availability for other things such as agriculture, development would be reduced
Reduced land use could decrease profits generated from agriculture, development, etc.
Cost of Restoring Honey Bee Habitats
Photo by Amy Toensing, National Geographic Creative
(Retrieved from http://news.nationalgeographic.com/
2015/08/150815-honeybee-honey-pollination-science)
Finding bee-friendly alternatives to deadly pesticides
Would require extensive research & experimentation
Could prove to be more costly
Alternative pesticides may be harmful other organisms
Other alternatives, such as adopting organic agricultural practices, may make it considerably challenging to protect crops from infestations on a large scale
Requires large amounts of resources
Extensive planning by state government needed to determine best areas to designate for habitat projects
Process could be time consuming
Planning and actual development stage may take years to complete
Funding
Depending on extent of restoration efforts, costs could quickly escalate
State government would have to create a way to fund habitat projects that would not be overly taxing on the overall state budget
Additional Costs of Habitat Restoration
Increased pollination/productivity of crops
Bees are one of the largest contributors to successful pollination of most crops such as fruits, vegetables, nuts
More bees = more productive crops (higher yields)
Food security/diversity
(“Save”, n.d.)
Increased Agricultural Profits
Higher crop yields create the potential for significant increases in revenue generated by agriculture
Bees are needed to pollinate wildflowers and many other plants that provide food for many animals and insects (Leonard, 2015)
Bees make honey which is both tasty and a heathier alternative to sugar
Benefits of Restoring Honey Bee Habitats
Photo: Tambako the Jaguar/flickr)
Photo retrieved from http://beethings.
co.za/index.php/about-us
Significant amounts of crops could potentially be lost during the transition from pesticides to alternative practices
No way to know all of the negative effects or losses that may occur due to changes
Difficulty Implementing new legislation
New laws/regulations would need to be created and enforced by state governments
May require the institution of new government funded agencies to enforce new legislation
Could lead to years of debate and deliberations for all parties involved (farmers, agricultural industries, state law makers) to reach agreeable terms on how to address the problem
Determining possible alternatives to current harmful pesticides would be expensive
Extensive, costly experimentation required
If different pesticides are used, they may be less cost-effective than those currently used
Organic agricultural practices may not be as effective in reducing pests
Possible extensive crop damage
Would require more physical effort and new innovative methods to prevent pests
Costs Associated with Reducing Threats to Honey Bee Population
Eliminating pesticides that are harmful to honey bees will greatly increase the chances of restoring a sustainable, abundant population size
Less stress and disturbance imposed upon honey bee colonies
Will result in healthier, more productive colonies
Will lessen the financial burden on private and commercial beekeepers
Reduced threats to bees = less colonies that beekeepers must replace = lower expenses for beekeepers
Positive environmental impact
Natural services that honey bees provide to humans, plants and animals will remain available for years to come
Conservation of honey bees can also contribute to improved water and soil quality
(”Conservation”, 2015)
Benefits of Reducing Threats to Honey Bees
Photos retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/
2014/06/17/store-without-bees_n_5500380.html
Connecticut government officials must find a feasible, affordable way to restore honey bee habitats statewide
This is the only way to ensure continued survival of honey bee populations
The success of the state’s agricultural industry is dependent upon pollination that only honey bees can provide
Funds could possibly be raised by various environmental groups; state budget should be altered as necessary to allow for funding of habitat restoration
Alternative pesticides/ pest control methods are a must
Although these may be more expensive initially, the benefits will ultimately greatly outweigh the additional costs
Probable increase of agricultural profits would provide additional funding necessary for other important state projects
Exploration and experimentation of possible alternatives should begin as soon as possible
The issue of honey bee decline should be addressed sooner rather than later to avoid further losses
How should this issue be addressed?
Baskind, Chris. (2011, May 3). 5 ways to help our disappearing bees. Retrieved from http://www.mnn.com/
earthmatters/wilderness-resources/stories/5-ways-to-help-our-disappearing-bees
Boughton, Kathryn. (2013, August 22). Connecticut No Land For Honeybees. Retrieved from http://www.
countytimes.com/articles/2013/08/22/business/doc52161bb1cda06770952892.txt?viewmod e=4
Conservation Work for Honey Bees. (2015, May). Retrieved from http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal
/nrcs/detail/national/plantsanimals/pollinate/?cid=stelprdb1263263
Fact Sheet: The Economic Challenge Posed by Declining Pollinator Populations. (2014, June 20). Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/06/20/fact-sheet-economic-challenge-posed-declining-
pollinator-populations
Hladky, Gregory B. (2016, May 11). Connecticut Continues To Suffer Massive Loss of Honeybees. Retrieved from http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-ct-bee-losses-20160511-story.html
Save the Bees. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/sustainable-agriculture/save-the-bees/
Leonard, Jayne. Here’s Why We Need To Save The Bees + 10 Things You Can Do To Help. (2015, June 12). Retrieved from http://www.naturallivingideas.com/save-the-bees/
References
