Canada: Wild bees are under threat from domestic bees, invasive species, pathogens, and climate change—but we can help

Published 2024년 4월 30일

Tridge summary

Canada is facing challenges with the decline of its wild bee species due to climate change, habitat loss, pesticide use, and pathogen spillover from domesticated bees. Research conducted along the Niagara Escarpment has shown that many wild bee species, particularly solitary and specialized ones, are vulnerable to competition and disease from domesticated bees and the effects of climate change. The article emphasizes the importance of native bees for native plant populations and highlights the need for efforts to protect and conserve them. These efforts include the creation of native gardens, bee-certified cities and campuses, and initiatives that promote the planting of native plants to support bees and other wildlife.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

Canada is home to more than 800 species of wild bees—few may have noticed the diversity of native bees buzzing around, but bees play a significant role in the survival of native plant populations.With changes in climate, habitat loss, pesticide use and pathogen spillover, some of our native bees are in decline.Our research takes place along a section of the Niagara Escarpment, which features a huge diversity of native plants, many microclimates, and lots of natural land that makes ideal habitats for wild bees.The vast majority of wild bee species are rare. More than 200 species live in the habitat-rich forests, fields and neighborhoods around Hamilton and McMaster University, where they are the subjects of our research.In Ontario, there are many different types of bees, including bumblebees, carder bees, carpenter bees, cellophane bees, cuckoo bees, leaf cutter bees, long horned bees, mason bees, mining bees, sweat bees and yellow-faced bees.Many of our wild bees are solitary, ...

Source: Phys