A report of the University Reading mentions that conflict areas, including the Ukraine war, are among the most pressing 12 threats to pollenizers.
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War areas, microplastics and street lights are among the emerging threats to the bee population, according to scientists.
Bee experts have prepared a list of the most pressing 12 threats to pollenizers in the next decade, published in a report entitled “Emerging threats and opportunities for the preservation of world pollinators”made by the University of Reading.
Scientists warn that the intensification of wars and conflicts around the world harms bees. These include the War in Ukraine, which forced the countries to cultivate fewer types of cultures, leaving pollinators without diverse food throughout the season.
Researchers have found that plastic microparticles contaminate bee hives throughout Europe, tests performed on 315 honey bees colonies revealing the presence of synthetic materials, such as PET plastic. It has been found that artificial light from street lamps reduces 62% visits of nocturnal pollenizers, and air pollution affects their survival, reproduction and growth.
Antibiotics, used in agriculture, have reached hives and honey. It was also found that they affect the behavior of pollenizers, reducing their search for food and visits to flowers. “Cocktails“Pesticides also plays a significant and emerging role; although some pesticides are now regulated to be maintained below the limits”safe ” For bees and other wild animals, research has shown that they can interact with other chemicals and cause dangerous effects.
Prof. Simon Potts of Reading University, the main author of the report, said: “Identifying new threats and finding ways to protect the pollenizers is essential for preventing new major declines. This is not just a preservation problem. Pollenizers are essential for systems Our food, resilience to climate change and economic security. Protecting pollinators means protecting ourselves. “
The authors have requested a series of measures to protect bees, including stronger laws to limit antibiotic pollution that harm the health of bees, switching to electric vehicles to reduce air pollution, creating flower -rich habitats in sun parks and growing more pollen and better -improved crops.
Dr. Deepa Senapathi, co -author of the report, also from the University of Reading, added: “It will take everyone’s effort to approach these threats. We must maintain, manage and improve our natural habitats to create safe spaces for pollinators. Individual actions, such as providing food and nesting areas in our gardens, can be of great help. But policy changes and individual actions must work together, so that everything, from gardens and farms to public spaces and wider landscapes, can become favorable habitats. “
