Buzzing Towards Extinction

Audience:  Middle and High School Students

A staggering 30% of bee species worldwide are currently at risk of extinction, primarily due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change.  Photo by Dmitry Grigoriev from Unsplash. 

Without bees, one-third of the food we eat could disappear! These tiny creatures are not just pesky bugs that can sting, instead they are essential engineers of our ecosystem, performing a complex task that keeps our world in balance. With their fuzzy bodies and specialized mouthparts for collecting nectar and pollen, bees help pollinate the world's plants. There are many species of bees, including honey bees, bumblebees, and carpenter bees, with each contributing to the biodiversity that sustains life on Earth in their own way. Beyond their importance in our ecosystems, bees also produce honey and beeswax, which are products that humans have relied on for centuries. However, the survival of these essential pollinators is threatened, and it's up to us to take action to protect them.

Bees are essential to our ecosystem, because of the crucial role they play in pollination. Pollination is the transfer of pollen to a flower or plant, which allows it to fertilize and grow. This process allows plants to produce fruits, seeds, and new plants. Without bees many of the crops we rely on for food, such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts, would not be able to thrive. In addition to supporting food production, bees help maintain biodiversity. Biodiversity refers to the variety of biological species on Earth, such as plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms. Maintaining biodiversity is necessary for ecological balance and biological sustainability. By pollinating a wide variety of plants, bees ensure the survival of species that rely on these plants for food and shelter. This keeps ecosystems balanced and healthy. Bees also significantly contribute to soil health. As they pollinate plants, they help those plants establish strong roots. The development of these strong roots prevents soil erosion and supports the overall stability of the environment. Healthy plants contribute to healthier soils, which are essential for sustaining life in our ecosystems. Bees are more than just pollinators. They are vital for food production, biodiversity, and maintaining a stable, healthy environment. Their disappearance would have far-reaching consequences, making their protection more important than ever.

As essential as bees are to our ecosystems, their survival is increasingly under threat. One of the most pressing dangers they face is the widespread use of pesticides, which interfere with their navigation skills and memory. Pesticides are chemicals used to prevent, control, or exterminate pests such as insects, weeds, and fungi. Pesticide usage limits a bee's ability to find food and pollinate plants, resulting in the loss of entire colonies. A nationwide survey of beekeepers conducted by Bee Culture reported that honey bee colonies across the United States lost an average loss of 62% between June 2024 and February 2025. Neonicotinoid pesticides are often used when growing corn, soybeans, cotton, and potatoes. Neonicotinoid pesticides are particularly toxic to bees and have been connected to major decline in bee populations. Besides the increasing prevalence of pesticides, a different contributor to the decline in bee populations  is habitat loss caused by urbanization and deforestation. Urbanization is the conversion of rural areas into urban environments, which often involves the construction of buildings, roads, and infrastructure, resulting in habitat loss. Occurring alongside urbanization is deforestation, which is the process of clearing out or removing trees to make room for agriculture or construction. The result of this: an extreme loss in biodiversity and harm to the environment. As natural habitats are destroyed, bees lose crucial areas to find food and build nests. This loss in suitable habitats has a direct impact on their capacity to survive and fulfill their essential role of pollination. Furthermore, climate change has had heavily adverse effects on bee populations. Rising global temperatures and changing weather patterns affect their behavior, by altering the  timing of plant blooming. With fewer plants available for food, bees have less sources of nutrition, reducing their ability to maintain colonies. Finally, illnesses and parasites are also a danger to bee populations. Bees are vulnerable to diseases like Nosema and parasites such as Varroa mites, both of which weaken colonies and have high mortality rates. Together, these issues are endangering bee populations and the critical role they serve in our environment.

Bees are incredibly essential to our ecosystems, yet their populations are severely threatened by all these damaging factors. One of the most important steps humans can take to preserve their populations is to reduce pesticide use, particularly hazardous compounds like neonicotinoids. By making mindful choices in our daily lives, such as buying organic produce, we can help minimize the harmful effects of pesticides, as organic farming avoids the use of synthetic chemicals. We can also lessen the negative impact on bee populations by promoting tougher restrictions and safer pest management approaches such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Additionally, providing new bee habitats is critical. Even seemingly small actions, like planting native flowers in our gardens or encouraging the restoration of wild meadows and pollinator corridors, provide bees with essential food and shelter. Urban environments can also be made more bee-friendly by incorporating flowering plants into green spaces and community gardens. Finally, sustainable farming techniques are critical for ensuring bees have a wide and sufficient food supply. Choosing bee-friendly products like organic honey and supporting local businesses that use sustainable practices can also make a big difference. Reducing pesticide use, restoring bee habitats, and promoting sustainable agriculture are all related efforts that can help protect bees' critical role in pollination, food production, and biodiversity.

In conclusion, pushing for protective measures is an important step toward guaranteeing the survival of bees and other pollinators. While it may be odd to some to pass protection for such small creatures, the importance of bees to our ecosystems and food chains makes it an imperative choice. Policies such as the New York Birds and Bees Act, which protects bees, birds, and wildlife from toxic pollutants, demonstrate how legislation may directly help conservation efforts. By advocating for additional legislation like this around the world, we can protect pollinators for future generations, ensuring they continue to play an important role in preserving biodiversity and food security. Protecting bees involves more than simply conserving one species; it is about protecting the health of our entire world.

Bibliography: 

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“Bees: Their Amazing World, and Their Role in Our Forests.” www.forestfoundation.org, 22 Aug. 2023, www.forestfoundation.org/why-we-do-it/family-forest-blog/bees-their-amazing-world-and-their-role-in-our-forests/. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

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