Baffled About The Cause
The problem is a scientific one but scientists remain baffled about the cause of the pollinators decline. It’s not only honeybees that are affected but also other native pollinators that have thrived here for generations. Federal research dollars are now being made available with the new Farm Bill and will be put to good use in the study of this issue so vital on a worldwide basis...
The research focuses on native bees such as bumblebees that are also experiencing rapid declines and also on butterflies, moths, beetles, flies, hummingbirds and bats. It is known that these are all pollinators but a lack of scientific data on these species makes measurements difficult...
Scientists think there are a number of reasons for the decline, such as loss of habitat, pesticides, viruses and parasites. Spokesperson Mr. Frazier reported that one study of 108 pollen samples revealed 46 pesticides with nearly 17 different pesticides in a single sample. Only three of the samples showed no pesticide residue.
Another factor in the decline and not nearly as well known as the other causes is large farm monocultures of single crops that result in "floral deserts." In the San Joaquin Valley, there are 660,000 acres of almond trees.. The problem with this is that it provides pollinators only a single-source diet during one major blooming period. It’s kind of like eating nothing but pizza for a few weeks and then starving the rest of the year. These environments are detrimental to native pollinators and so farmers have to import honeybees for pollination.
