Researchers from Simon Fraser University revealed that change in temperature has a negative impact on several species of bumble bees more than other factors like precipitation or floral resources. [1]

Figure 1: Negative impact on several species of bumble bees.

Figure 1 shows that “Bumble bees are important pollinators for wild plants and for the crops humans rely on for food. That is why we need to develop conservation strategies that account for the future impacts of climate change on bee populations,” explained Hanna Jackson.

The research team examined an existing dataset containing records on 46 bumble bee species across north America between 1900 to 2020. scientists could estimate the effects of climate and land-use variables on species’ occupancy, which is a measure of where species are discovered.

It was revealed that a total of six bumble bee species decreased through time, 22 increased and the remaining 18 appeared to remain stable. Thus, the temperature changes predominantly had negative impacts on bumble bees. [2]

Temperature changes had primarily negative impacts on bumble bees, with 37 of the 46 species exhibiting greater declines or less positive increases in occupancy under observed temperature changes compared to if the temperature had remained constant.

Importantly, nine species of bumble bee exhibited declines that link to changing temperatures within their ranges. The team did not find patterns in the other factors that were studied, such as precipitation and only one species declined based on floral resources.

In fact, both floral resources and precipitation had mixed results. Approximately half of the bumble bee species were negatively impacted by changes in precipitation or floral resources while the other half were positively impacted.

Therefore, researchers conclude that changing temperatures are a major environmental factor driving changes in bumble bee community composition.

“Because bumble bee species likely vary in their future responses to land-use and climate change, conservation action should prioritize individual species, taking into account their unique climate and habitat preferences,” adds Jackson. (ANI) [3]

References:

1. https://aninews.in/news/science/climate-change-negatively-impacts-bumble-bees-study-reveals20220624160718/
2. https://www.innovationnewsnetwork.com/impacts-of-climate-change-on-bees/22603/
3. https://theprint.in/science/climate-change-negatively-impacts-bumble-bees-study-reveals/1010532/

Cite this article:

Sri Vasagi K (2022), Change in Temperature has a Negative Impact on Species, AnaTechMax, pp.189