Disappearance of pollinating bees in natural and agricultural systems: Is there an explanation?

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5965/223811711812019154

Keywords:

pollination, poisoning, deforestation, pathogens and mites

Abstract

Since the last decade, the disappearance of pollinating bee populations has been apparent in several countries. This group is responsible for the pollination and maintenance of hundreds of plant species used in human food, in addition to contributing significantly to the socioeconomic development of several communities associated to family farming. In this study, the possible causes of this disappearance are discussed, among which we highlight deforestation, reinforced by the lack of natural flora, inadequate hive management by beekeepers, increasing infestations of pests in the colonies, and the use of agrochemicals. Conservation strategies for native and domesticated bees are suggested, namely: (a) maintenance of the natural landscape that surrounds agricultural areas; (b) beekeepers’ professionalization in the nutritional management and conservation of beehives; and (c) the continuous development of detailed studies about the lethal and sublethal effects of agrochemicals on pollinators.

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Author Biographies

Joatan Machado da Rosa, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina

Departamento de Agronomia. Laboratório de Entomologia.

Dr. em Fitossanidade, professor na Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina - UDESC/CAV, Lages, SC, Brasil.

Cristiano João Arioli, Empresa de Pesquisa e Extensão Rural de Santa Catarina

Estação Experimental de São Joaquim - EESJ. Laboratório de Entomologia.

Dr. em Fitossanidade na Empresa de Pesquisa e Extensão Rural de Santa Catarina - Epagri, São Joaquim, SC, Brasil.

Patricia Nunes-Silva, Instituto Tecnológico Vale

Instituto Tecnológico Vale - Desenvolvimento Sustentável.

Dra. em Entomologia (USP) Pesquisadora no Instituto Tecnológico Vale, Belém, PA, Brasil.

Flávio Roberto Mello Garcia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas

Depto. de Ecologia, Zoologia e Genética, Lab. de Ecologia de Insetos - UFPel.

Dr. em Ciências Biológicas (PUCRS), Professor e Pesquisador na Universidade Federal de Pelotas - UFPel, Pelotas, RS. Brasil.

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Published

2019-02-08

How to Cite

ROSA, Joatan Machado da; ARIOLI, Cristiano João; NUNES-SILVA, Patricia; GARCIA, Flávio Roberto Mello. Disappearance of pollinating bees in natural and agricultural systems: Is there an explanation?. Revista de Ciências Agroveterinárias, Lages, v. 18, n. 1, p. 154–162, 2019. DOI: 10.5965/223811711812019154. Disponível em: https://revistas.udesc.br/index.php/agroveterinaria/article/view/10301. Acesso em: 17 jul. 2024.

Issue

Section

Review Article - Multisections and Related Areas