Tiny Bees vs Large Bumblebees: Which Cope Better, Struggle More Against Climate Warming?

Researchers in the United States trapped and examined over 20,000 bees over eight years in a location of the Rocky Mountains to discover how different types of bees reacted to varying climatic conditions.

A report from the Malay Mail site specified that climate change could result in more small-bodied bees although fewer bumblebees.

In the recently published research, the study authors warned of possible "cascading" impacts on plant pollination and throughout the whole ecosystem.

The researchers said that while environmental conditions changed from year to year, the sub-alpine region from which they too specimens is particularly susceptible to climate change, with typically warming spring temperatures and earlier snowmelt.

Large Bumblebees More at Risk

In the study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B journals, the study investigators discovered that comb-building cavity nesters and larger-bodied bees dropped in abundance as the temperature rose, while smaller, soil-nesting bees rose.

The researchers said, their study suggests that the climate-induced changes in temperature, snowpack, and summer downpours may drastically reshape the communities of bees.

The study authors also explained, their findings suggest a "reduction of bigger bees" which include in the families of bumblebees, mason bees, and leafcutters with higher temperatures.

Decreases were specifically marked for bumblebees, which, according to the scientists, suggests this group is more at risk under climate warming compared to other bees in the system.

That adds with other research showing that bumblebees, the prevalent pollinators in a lot of ecosystems, have a lower heat tolerance compared to other bees and move to cooler places at higher altitudes as temperatures warm.

A Decline in Longer-Distance Pollination

A Phys.org report specified that according to scientists, their findings suggest that both the body size and nest behavior of bumblebees could make them more susceptible as well, in a warming world.

The study authors in general said climate-driven changes to pollinator communities could have cascading impacts on pollination, as well as ecosystem functioning.

For instance, the researcher said losing larger bees, which are inclined to fly further for food, may mean a decline in longer-distance pollination.

The research was particularly focused on mountainous areas, although the researchers said other studies throughout the United States showed decreases in bigger bees in response to environmental changes.

6 Bee Species Going Regionally Extinct

They did nonetheless say their study findings that drier conditions favored bees with specialist diets may not be suitable for other ecosystems where climate change is expected to result in more rainfall,

Essentially, insects are the top pollinators of the world. 75 percent of 115 top global food crops rely on animal pollination, which include coffee, cherries, almonds, and cocoa, the United Nations reported.

Based on a landmark 2019 report, the researchers concluded that almost half of all insect species globally are in decline and a third could vanish altogether by the end of the century.

One in six bee species has gone regionally extinct someplace in the world. The main drivers of extinction are believed to be loss of habitat and the use of pesticides, according to an AFP report.

Related information about bees and climate change on High Country News's YouTube video below:

Check out more news and information on Bumblebees in Science Times.