In a world without bees, Colorful Colorado would be nothing but a distant memory. Pollinators are responsible for shaping the landscape we inhabit; without them, most flowering plants would die. Native pollinators, like the 946 biodiverse bee species that call Colorado home, are vitally important to the ecosystem and economy of this state. Modern agricultural practices and recent changes in human activities have led to declines in populations statewide. Estimates place bee loss in Colorado at around 72% since the 1970s, with 30,000 colonies lost to Colony Collapse Disorder.
Colony Collapse Disorder is a nationwide issue that threatens native bee populations everywhere. So what is it? CCD is a syndrome in which hives and food stores are left deserted by colonies. Scientists don’t know the reason this phenomenon occurs, but in the early 2000s colonies across every state began to be lost at alarming rates. Experts hypothesize that a combination of factors stemming from the agricultural industry, malnutrition, inbreeding depressions, pesticides, and stress, are at the root of the issue.
In the undomesticated world, plants coevolved alongside their insect counterparts to be generalists or specialists, to open at night or day, to synchronize their blooms, or emit a certain scent in order to be pollinated. Plants evolved abilities and defense mechanisms against pests and complex communication pathways to alert their neighbors of invading organisms. In the fields full of genetically modified and monocropped, mass-produced produce, plants have lost their ability to communicate. They are unable to naturally defend themselves in the soil that our agricultural practices quickly strip of all its nutrients and native fungal networks. Our divergence from the natural world is starkly illustrated in our reliance on genetic modification, fertilizers, and pesticides to grow the food that our growing population depends on. The use of these pesticides and herbicides has had detrimental effects on bee populations, and this decline can be directly attributed to monoculture and unsustainable agricultural practices.
So what can be done? In an ideal world, we would shift our agricultural practices from the unnatural back to natural with the use of cyclical crop rotations, biodynamic farming, and intercropping in order to promote natural processes that support local bee populations. In monoculture fields, without variability in the flowering times of plants in the possible scope of pollen-gathering land, bee colonies cannot collect enough food to sustain themselves. Where the biodiversity of plants or insects is reduced or greatly affected, the corresponding species reliant on the affected organism are negatively affected. The preservation of native species should therefore be the primary goal in conservation efforts. In a study published by the International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Services and Management, authors looked at the effect applying various agroforestry management concepts had on native insect species and biodiversity. The implementation of shade trees planted in monocropped fields was found to maintain 93% of the pollinator species and increased the target crops yield by up to 53%. Forest fragments are also an advantageous way to sustain local biodiversity while also maximizing crop coverage in planted areas. Supporting local farms and companies that utilize these techniques is a vitally important role for consumers.
A main issue is that those in agriculture that would support conservation efforts are forced to turn to monocropping in order to economically support themselves. If this division between profit and sustainability continues to proliferate in the agriculture community, the number of conservation efforts we take as individuals will not be enough to reverse current trends. A restructuring of the agricultural system that is driving native bee declines is crucial, and as consumers we must demand it. The responsibility for the recovery of our native bee populations should not fall on individuals, but there are things we can do to support them.
As residents, we can fill our yards with native plants that can provide habitat or food for native bee species. Annual flowers and herbs like bachelor buttons, dill, cilantro, and marigolds can be a fun addition to your garden for both you and native insects to eat. More information can be found on the Creating a Paradise for Pollinators page through Denver Urban Gardens, and the Xerces Society has a comprehensive list of pollinator plants for Southern Plains communities. Providing water sources with landing spaces can also provide resources to a variety of insects and animals. As spring begins, educate yourself on how to support local populations; a few changes can make a big difference for your neighborhood bees.
