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savage_demmigod
· 4 years ago
· FIRST
Me too buddy... me too
guest_
· 4 years ago
The thing about the extinction of bee species, which there is debate over wether or not such a thing is happening or if such a thing should cause concern.... the primary pollinators of cultivated crops are domesticated bees- Apis mellifera- also called “honey bees.” Honey Bees aren’t really in any imminent threat of extinction. Native bee species have been the primary species which have seen to be in decline in the past century. Over 20,000 species many of which people have never heard of or may not even realize are “bees” such as solitary ground nesting bees which don’t keep hives or colonies.
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guest_
· 4 years ago
The loss of these species is bound to impact local biospheres, asides performing pollination on native or “wild” plants and lands, these bees are part of the food web, eating and being eaten, playing a part in the adapted survival of various macro and micro organisms from amphibians down to microscopic organisms.
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guest_
· 4 years ago
While there is theoretically cause for concern there- the cries that our food crops are doomed is an exaggerated one, since again- so long as the domestic bee species primarily relied upon for such work are healthy (they are) then that isn’t a problem. The loss of bio diversity in pollinators DOES carry risk that a singular epidemic or shift which harshly targets domestic bee species could cause an actual “bee Armageddon” from a human vantage point- and change brings unknown so the loss of native bee species could have unforeseen consequences... or not.
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guest_
· 4 years ago
But by far, most experts in the field agree that the biggest threat to native bee species is simply loss of habitat and food sources. Many native been species require certain native plants, or more commonly thrive off of plants other than those used in common commercial farming and home landscaping. Hence why the issue remains largely unaddressed. There are really only 2 round about solutions to the problem of habitat/food loss for these bees.
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guest_
· 4 years ago
The first, would be to cease expansion of human development and agriculture- to make preserves of vast swaths of land coast to coast to protect these natives species numbers and the related habitats. That is highly unlikely- even if we could be counted on to make the major social and personal changes required- the current global political and economic situation makes it unlikely this move would ultimately be effective.
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guest_
· 4 years ago
The second, is to incorporate habitats into our developments. This would require some change to how we plan, design, and even how we live. It’s a more “holistic” approach which requires us to build with nature in mind and as part f our designs- but asides costs and complexities, what stops that isn’t governments or businesses but our own personal choices.
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guest_
· 4 years ago
Common North American ants generally do not carry disease. Most species do not bite or sting. But we don’t not generally want them in our homes or around them no? Where there is habitat for bees and there are bees, there are spiders, slugs, toads, lizards, frogs, snakes. There are the organisms that are food or feed on or are symbiotic to each of those.
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guest_
· 4 years ago
Most people aren’t keen to invite things we see as pests like aphids and such into our homes or yards, and not the rodents or other creatures that can bring. Our homes and yards and cities are designed to keep nature, parasites and pests and predators out. So if we want to keep the things we want to allow and exclude the parts of those ecosystems we don’t want... we have to engineer our own biospheres.
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iccarus
· 4 years ago
my mum is trying to get a beehive, she's really having trouble sourcing where to get them, But got her a subscription to a bee keeping magazine that should help her out. Was a surprise to my dad though.
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Edited 4 years ago
changetheworld
· 4 years ago
Is she having trouble sourcing where to get the equipment and the hive or the bees? I'm a beekeeper, maybe I can give suggestions.
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iccarus
· 4 years ago
yes she is, but she's just got some magazines i ordered for her, i'm sure there's gonna be some advertisements in there she will want me to follow up
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changetheworld
· 4 years ago
Mann Lake, Dadant, and Kelley beekeeping are popular. I would also highly suggest joining the local beekeepers association. There is usually for each county. A lot of time they help each other out and get discounts on things.
iccarus
· 4 years ago
I'm sure she will do something, she's not much for joining clubs, and the current climate isn't allowing gatherings either. I suggested it once, but the nearest one was like about 90 minute drive away. thanks for the advice though, i'll pass it on.
changetheworld
· 4 years ago
We never did any gatherings with our association, but they send helpful information and are able to get bulk discounts on things. And if she is just getting into beekeeping, online forums might be helpful.
