de.euronews.com
Wild Pollinator Decline Threatens Food Security Despite Rising Honeybee Numbers
One-third of global pollinator species are declining, threatening food security; while honeybee populations in the EU have increased, wild pollinators face habitat loss, pesticides, and competition from honeybees, highlighting the need for alternative conservation strategies.
- What are the primary threats to wild pollinators, and what are the immediate consequences of their decline for food security?
- One-third of pollinator species globally are declining, with one in ten bee and butterfly species in Europe threatened. This decline endangers food security as pollination is crucial for plant reproduction; many crops, including almonds, apples, coffee, and strawberries, rely on it. While honeybee populations in the EU have increased, making it the world's second-largest honey producer, wild pollinator populations are shrinking.
- How does the increase in honeybee populations in the EU relate to the decline of wild pollinators, and what is the scientific evidence supporting this connection?
- The decline of wild pollinators is linked to habitat loss, intensive farming, pesticides, pollution, invasive species, diseases, and climate change. A 2023 Canadian study also suggests urban beekeeping might worsen the situation by increasing competition for resources with wild bees, which are more selective in their flower choices. This competition reduces pollen availability for wild bees, impacting their populations.
- What are the long-term implications of focusing conservation efforts primarily on honeybees rather than wild pollinators, and what alternative strategies could be more effective?
- The focus on honeybee populations as a measure of pollinator health is misguided. A 2024 study shows that wild pollinator loss is more detrimental to plant reproduction than honeybee loss. Increasing commercial honeybee hives might not address the core problem and could even exacerbate it, similar to increasing chicken farms to save bird diversity. Protecting wild pollinators requires addressing the underlying threats to their habitats and health.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article is framed around the negative impacts of honeybee farming on wild pollinators. The headline (if there was one) and introduction would likely emphasize this conflict, potentially creating a biased perception of honeybee farming as inherently harmful. The use of quotes from researchers critical of honeybee farming further reinforces this framing. While it does mention the economic importance of beekeeping, this is presented as a counterpoint rather than a balanced perspective.
Language Bias
The article uses strong language such as "Retten Imker die falschen Bienen?" (Are beekeepers saving the wrong bees?), which frames the question in a provocative and potentially biased way. The description of honeybee farming as potentially "kontraproduktiv" (counterproductive) is also loaded. More neutral phrasing could be employed to maintain objectivity. For example, instead of "kontraproduktiv," the article could have used a phrase like "potentially having unintended negative consequences".
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the decline of wild pollinators and the potential negative impacts of honeybee farming, but it omits discussion of potential positive impacts of honeybee farming, such as economic benefits to rural communities or contributions to overall pollination services. It also doesn't explore potential solutions beyond reducing honeybee populations, such as habitat restoration or pesticide reduction strategies that would benefit all pollinators.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a false dichotomy by framing the issue as a choice between saving honeybees or saving wild pollinators. It implies that supporting honeybee populations is detrimental to wild pollinators, neglecting the complexity of the relationship and the possibility of co-existence and even synergistic effects under certain conditions. The article does acknowledge that the negative impacts of honeybee farming are still debated scientifically.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights the decline of various pollinator species, including bees, butterflies, bats, and hummingbirds, which directly impacts biodiversity and ecosystem health. The decline is attributed to habitat loss, intensive agriculture, pesticides, pollution, invasive species, disease, and climate change. This loss of pollinators threatens plant reproduction and food security, undermining the sustainability of terrestrial ecosystems.