Dip in honeybees population could hit food security: Study
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global warming|Kerala Agricultural University|honeybees population|Food security|All India Coordinated Research Project
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KANNUR:
A recent study showed that the state has witnessed a sharp decline in
the number of honeybees and wild pollinators, which would adversely
affect the crops and subsequently affect food security.
The All India Coordinated Research Project on Honeybees and Pollinators (AICRP HB&P) was carried out by the scientists of Kerala Agricultural University .
Scientists K S Premila, V S Amritha and K K Shailaja under the leadership of S Devanesan were part of the team that conducted the study.
"Ninety per cent of crops are cross pollinated, of which 85% depend upon insects for pollination. It is estimated that about one third of all plants and plant products eaten by humans are directly or indirectly dependant on bee pollination," said Devanesan underscoring the importance of increasing the population of the insects, especially honeybees. Hence, agriculture production can be increased by 20 to 40%, he added.
The study was conducted in Idukki cardamom plantations and forest areas recently. It reveals that threats of radiation from mobile towers, global warming, climate change, deforestation, indiscriminate use and improper application of pesticides, weed control operations, mechanized agriculture, monoculture and destruction of hibernating and nesting sites are spelling doom for the honeybees in the state.
"It was found there is a huge decrease in giant bee colonies and a drastic reduction in cardamom in the areas where the pesticide use was high," said Devanesan.
The electromagnetic radiation from mobile towers and cell phones have the potential to kill worker bees that go out to collect nectar from flowers, and this is one major reason for the decline in bees' population. "If measures are not taken to check mobile towers, bees could be wiped out from Kerala," he said.
Untimely rain, increased temperature and wind also compel the giant bees to migrate to other places, said Premila. "Owing to these reasons, the percentage of giant bees and other pollinators are declining in the ecosystem," she said citing the study. Scientific studies revealed the harmful effects of neonicotinoids on the nervous system of bees, which leads them to lose their way to home or they will be unable to direct their flight to the hive entrance, she said.
The poisoned bees showed decreased aggressiveness and the paralysed bees crawled on nearby objects, resulting in reduced food storage and brood rearing and decline in population in the colony.
A decline in the number of feral colonies of honey bees as well as hived colonies had been observed in Idukki, where the study was conducted. Honeybee species seem to be disappearing even from the forest areas, said the scientists pointing towards the necessity of the authorities to take immediate steps to curb this by promoting bee keeping and also restricting the use of insecticides, limiting mobile towers and also taking steps to prevent the environmental hazards
The All India Coordinated Research Project on Honeybees and Pollinators (AICRP HB&P) was carried out by the scientists of Kerala Agricultural University .
Scientists K S Premila, V S Amritha and K K Shailaja under the leadership of S Devanesan were part of the team that conducted the study.
"Ninety per cent of crops are cross pollinated, of which 85% depend upon insects for pollination. It is estimated that about one third of all plants and plant products eaten by humans are directly or indirectly dependant on bee pollination," said Devanesan underscoring the importance of increasing the population of the insects, especially honeybees. Hence, agriculture production can be increased by 20 to 40%, he added.
The study was conducted in Idukki cardamom plantations and forest areas recently. It reveals that threats of radiation from mobile towers, global warming, climate change, deforestation, indiscriminate use and improper application of pesticides, weed control operations, mechanized agriculture, monoculture and destruction of hibernating and nesting sites are spelling doom for the honeybees in the state.
"It was found there is a huge decrease in giant bee colonies and a drastic reduction in cardamom in the areas where the pesticide use was high," said Devanesan.
The electromagnetic radiation from mobile towers and cell phones have the potential to kill worker bees that go out to collect nectar from flowers, and this is one major reason for the decline in bees' population. "If measures are not taken to check mobile towers, bees could be wiped out from Kerala," he said.
Untimely rain, increased temperature and wind also compel the giant bees to migrate to other places, said Premila. "Owing to these reasons, the percentage of giant bees and other pollinators are declining in the ecosystem," she said citing the study. Scientific studies revealed the harmful effects of neonicotinoids on the nervous system of bees, which leads them to lose their way to home or they will be unable to direct their flight to the hive entrance, she said.
The poisoned bees showed decreased aggressiveness and the paralysed bees crawled on nearby objects, resulting in reduced food storage and brood rearing and decline in population in the colony.
A decline in the number of feral colonies of honey bees as well as hived colonies had been observed in Idukki, where the study was conducted. Honeybee species seem to be disappearing even from the forest areas, said the scientists pointing towards the necessity of the authorities to take immediate steps to curb this by promoting bee keeping and also restricting the use of insecticides, limiting mobile towers and also taking steps to prevent the environmental hazards
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