"Bees Under Siege: Heatwaves Threaten Food Crops A groundbreaking study has exposed the devastating impact of extreme heat on bee populations, revealing a sharp decline in fertility that can have far-reaching consequences for the pollination of food crops. Researchers at the University of Hull simulated a three-day heatwave in the lab, subjecting solitary red mason bees to temperatures that mimicked the UK's most intense heatwaves. The results are alarming: bees exposed to the heatwave suffered significant fertility losses, with serious implications for the pollination of crops in the following years. As the world grapples with the effects of climate change, this study highlights the urgent need to protect pollinators and the ecosystems they support."
Study reveals extreme heat causes sharp drop with knock-on effect for pollination of food crops in following yearsWe know heatwaves have serious health consequences for humans, but what about other species? A study has shown they severely diminish bees’ fertility, with significant implications for the pollination of food crops in the following years.Prof James Gilbert of the University of Hull his and colleagues simulated a three-day UK heatwave in the lab and measured its effect on solitary red mason bees, compared with those kept under control conditions of an ordinary summer. Continue reading...
