The Bees and the Trees

The honeybee is an unsung hero in many of the world’s ecosystems. Yet, these bees are starting to receive some appreciation and attention due to the unfortunate circumstances of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), a condition in which honeybee colonies experience inexplicable population drops when bees leave the hive and never return. There is still no definitive explanation for the cause of CCD, but scientists have begun extensive studies to get to the root of the problem, fearing that human activity may be a major contributing factor. Thus far, studies have identified a number of potential culprits, including common honeybee parasites and pathogens, chemical toxins and insecticides, and destruction of natural habitats.

Habitat destruction is especially concerning, as it is most directly linked to human activity. Studies suggest that honeybee habitat loss resultant of human activity can correlated with CCD incidence. The number of honeybee colonies in the United States has steadily declined for the last 30 years, and coincides with substantial decrease in total cropland, pastureland and rangeland area in the United States as land becomes developed. Following this trend, fewer types of pollen and fewer potential hive sites are available to the honeybees in developed areas, which may contribute to malnutrition and colony instability.[1]

In this race against time to identify the causes of CCD and develop remedial programs, one study had emerged from the Adirondacks, and the results may be surprising. One team of scientists studied the northern hardwood forests, and in true Adirondack fashion, to identify the effects of logging on midsummer diversity in native bee populations. They measured bee abundance and diversity on a series of 5-acre plots two and three years after experimental logging removed 30, 60, or 100% of the trees. They found that logging actually led to a significant increase in native bee diversity and abundance. Data show the most bee abundance on plots where 60% of the trees were logged, leaving a thin canopy and mostly open, sunny ground. Bee abundance was ten times higher in 60% logged plots than in 30% logged or clear-cut plots, although bee diversity was highest in clear-cut plots.[2]

The scientists reasoned that logging treatment influences the floral resources available to bees. Tree removal allowed more sun to reach the forest floor, encouraging growth of flowering herbaceous and weedy plants that bees need for nutrition. And since most critters will follow the food, bee populations are often directly correlated with flower abundance. Logged areas might also increase types of hive sites for bees, such as dead wood (slash) and weeds, which may help colony stability. [2]

This study suggests that some things are good in moderation. Humans may not be as destructive as is assumed, although we have a long way to go until we can live in complete harmony with nature. Still, Dean Thompson, a beekeeping hobbyist in the Hamilton College community estimates that beekeeping is becoming more popular a result of the spreading news about Colony Collapse Disorder. We need more research and awareness of honeybee welfare before CCD can be tackled in any definitive way, but for now, the bees keep buzzing and the rest of us have reason to hope. 

---

[1] Naug, Dhruba. "Nutritional Stress Due to Habitat Loss May Explain Recent Honeybee Colony Collapses." Biological Conservation 142.10 (2009): 2369-372. Print.

[2] Romey, W. L., J. S. Ascher, D. A. Powell, and M. Yanek. "Impacts of Logging on

Midsummer Diversity of Native Bees (Apoidea) in a Northern Hardwood Forest." Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society 80.4 (2007): 327-38. Web.