In a 2012 experiment, the cape gooseberry plant responded to bee pollination
with increased fruit size, successful seed set, and germination rates compared to
manual- and self-pollination [44].
While experiments for animal-pollinated crops tend to be highly specific to
cultivar, region, and other variables, they are important data points and support the
conclusion that pollinator-dependent crops, including those partially dependent,
show significant improvement in quantity and quality of yields when properly
pollinated.
4 Pollinator Decline: Bees
4.1 History, Statistics
A significant decline in pollinator populations, particularly bees, is currently being
investigated, with the majority of studies centered in the United States and Europe.
While wild bees are known to be important for pollination activities, lack of data as
to the full extent of their involvement means most of the extant information
concerning pollinator decline necessarily comes from human-managed honey bees
at this time.
Cumulatively, European countries have also seen significant losses in a similar
time frame, and 2013–2014 overwintering mortality rate was not as severe as
2012–2013, leading to the suggestion that climate and weather patterns across
regions may have contributed to differences [45].
For the 2014–2015 winter season, the international COLOSS honey bee research
association in Switzerland collected data from 31 countries and reported a range of
loss data ranging from 5% in Norway to 25% in Austria. The proportion of colonies
lost to either overwintering or post-winter queen problems was estimated to be
17.4%, or twice that of the previous winter [46].
In the United States, managed honey bee colonies have steadily declined in the
past 60 years from six million in 1947 to only 2.5 million in 2014. Starting in 2006,
commercial beekeepers in the United States reported a significant increase in
overwinter losses, averaging 30% per winter as opposed to earlier historical rates
of 10–15% colony losses. The 2013–2014 overwintering loss was over 23%, less
than the over 30% losses of the previous season but still notably higher than earlier
historical data. Hives had an estimated value of US$200 each as of 2014; the
cumulative loss has been estimated at ten million hives thus far. To compensate,
beekeepers must quickly rebuild colonies at great expense, which translates to
increasing costs of commercial pollination. For example, the cost of renting honey
bee hives for almond pollination in the United States rose from US$50 per hive in
2003 to US$150–$175 in 2009 [37]. These increased costs are passed on to the
agricultural producer and finally transferred to the consumer.
1 Understanding, Conservation, and Protection of Precious Natural Resources: Bees
17
with increased fruit size, successful seed set, and germination rates compared to
manual- and self-pollination [44].
While experiments for animal-pollinated crops tend to be highly specific to
cultivar, region, and other variables, they are important data points and support the
conclusion that pollinator-dependent crops, including those partially dependent,
show significant improvement in quantity and quality of yields when properly
pollinated.
4 Pollinator Decline: Bees
4.1 History, Statistics
A significant decline in pollinator populations, particularly bees, is currently being
investigated, with the majority of studies centered in the United States and Europe.
While wild bees are known to be important for pollination activities, lack of data as
to the full extent of their involvement means most of the extant information
concerning pollinator decline necessarily comes from human-managed honey bees
at this time.
Cumulatively, European countries have also seen significant losses in a similar
time frame, and 2013–2014 overwintering mortality rate was not as severe as
2012–2013, leading to the suggestion that climate and weather patterns across
regions may have contributed to differences [45].
For the 2014–2015 winter season, the international COLOSS honey bee research
association in Switzerland collected data from 31 countries and reported a range of
loss data ranging from 5% in Norway to 25% in Austria. The proportion of colonies
lost to either overwintering or post-winter queen problems was estimated to be
17.4%, or twice that of the previous winter [46].
In the United States, managed honey bee colonies have steadily declined in the
past 60 years from six million in 1947 to only 2.5 million in 2014. Starting in 2006,
commercial beekeepers in the United States reported a significant increase in
overwinter losses, averaging 30% per winter as opposed to earlier historical rates
of 10–15% colony losses. The 2013–2014 overwintering loss was over 23%, less
than the over 30% losses of the previous season but still notably higher than earlier
historical data. Hives had an estimated value of US$200 each as of 2014; the
cumulative loss has been estimated at ten million hives thus far. To compensate,
beekeepers must quickly rebuild colonies at great expense, which translates to
increasing costs of commercial pollination. For example, the cost of renting honey
bee hives for almond pollination in the United States rose from US$50 per hive in
2003 to US$150–$175 in 2009 [37]. These increased costs are passed on to the
agricultural producer and finally transferred to the consumer.
1 Understanding, Conservation, and Protection of Precious Natural Resources: Bees
17