THE IMPORTANCE OF BUMBLEBEES TO HUMANS
CONSERVATION OF BUMBLEBEES
There are evidence of decline in bumblebee species in the last 60 years in Europe. The reason for this decline is due to habitat loss and decrease in floral abundance and diversity. The decrease in floral diversity is primarily due to changing environmental conditions. The increase in the number of commercial honeybee hives might also impact bumblebees negatively. Bumblebees tend to avoid foraging near honeybee hives. Studies were conducted to prove this statement. It was observed that bumblebees that live in areas close to honeybees, appear smaller in size. There are also evidence of disease transmission from honeybees to bumblebees.
The loss of habitats and fragmentation of bumblebees are most likely linked to their monogamous breeding system, which contributes to their small population size. Studies showed that certain rare species of bumblebees consist of only less than 30 breeding females, and these populations are at the risk of extinction. Therefore effective conservation measures must be implemented broadly to conserve these species. Given the importance of bumblebees as pollinators of crops and wild flowers, different measures must be implemented to prevent further decline in bumblebees. Measures include reducing the use of insecticides and the conservation of surviving species-rich grasslands such as machair.
Figure 9.1 Red Clover on Borve Machair, Berneray
The machair grassland is famous for its abundance of flowers. In summer, a wide variety of colourful flowers can be found spread across the field. This indicates an important habitat for insect pollinators, such as bumblebees.