The vanishing hum

Widespread reports of a decline in the population of bees and other flower-visiting animals have aroused fear and speculation that pollination is also likely on the decline. A recent University of Toronto study provides the first long-term evidence of a downward trend in pollination, while also pointing to climate change as a possible contributor.

One of the longest-term studies of pollination ever done, the study reveals a progressive decline in pollination over the years, with particularly noteworthy pollination deficits early in the season. The study will be published in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. What is particularly sobering is that it suggests that pollination is vulnerable even in a relatively pristine environment that is free of pesticides and human disturbance but still subject to climate change.

According to a previous study, England’s bees are vanishing faster than anywhere else in Europe, with more than half of hives dying out over the last 20 years.

Butterflies and other insects are also in decline due to habitat loss and climate change. It is estimated bees are responsible for one in three mouthfuls of food we take, and that insect pollinators contribute £440 million to the British economy through their role in fertilising crops. And that for a largely meat-eating nation.

Small pointers to what could become a big problem. After all, remember studying in school how important pollination is?