An alarming forecast for the harvest: bumblebees "lose their sense of smell" due to high temperatures in Germany

Published 2024년 8월 28일

Tridge summary

A study from the University of Würzburg reveals that heat waves caused by climate change are impairing bumblebees' ability to detect flower scents, a problem that could negatively affect plant pollination and by extension, crops. The research involved exposing 190 bumblebees of two species to simulated heat waves, resulting in a significant reduction in their antennae's response to floral odors. This decline in scent sensitivity could severely impact bumblebees' foraging efficiency, leading to reduced pollination, lower plant reproduction, and yield. The study also indicated that bees have limited ability to recover from heat exposure, hinting at potential long-term consequences for bumblebee populations. The researchers emphasize the need for further investigation into how climate change affects different pollinator species, underlining the importance of pollinators like bumblebees for global food production. They also call for efforts to understand how species can adapt to warming temperatures to maintain ecosystem health and food supply stability. Additionally, the study highlights the broader ecological implications of climate change on species survival, particularly in the context of record-breaking heat waves and rising sea levels, as highlighted by António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General.

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Original content

According to a new study from the University of Würzburg (Germany), heat waves caused by climate change are impairing the ability of bumblebees to pick up flower scents, which can significantly affect plant pollination. As a result, crops and the environment will be at risk. As The Independent writes, scientists have established that the influence of extreme temperatures can seriously reduce the ability of bees to catch the scents of flowers. This, in turn, will disrupt their behavioral foraging skills and affect plants that depend on pollination. "Bumblebees play an important role in agriculture, pollinating crops that make up about a third of the food supply, including vegetables, fruits, nuts and legumes. However, bee populations are declining due to habitat loss and the climate crisis, and rising temperatures are exacerbating the problem," the publication said. . It is noted that the scientists wanted to study how the increase in temperature affects the ability of bumblebees ...

Source: Unian