EBK LIVING IN THE ENVIRONMENT
EBK LIVING IN THE ENVIRONMENT
19th Edition
ISBN: 9781337516082
Author: Miller
Publisher: CENGAGE LEARNING - CONSIGNMENT
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Chapter 9, Problem 1CR
To determine

The economic and ecological services provided by honeybees. The way in which the activities of human contribute to the decline of many populations of European honeybees. Define colony collapse disorder.

Expert Solution & Answer
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Answer to Problem 1CR

The liquid flower nectar collected by honeybees can be used for humans. Also, they help in the process of pollination. The factors that lead to this decline of honeybee population includes pesticide exposure, attacks of parasitic mites, invasion of African honeybees, a  virus traced to Israel, a particular type of fungus, and poor nutrition. A phenomenon that occurs when all the bees abandon a colony is termed as colony collapse disorder.

Explanation of Solution

The insect pollinated plants constitute about one third of the U.S food supply. The major type of insect that is responsible for 80% of that pollination is honeybees. Industrious honeybees flit from one flowering plant to another in meadows, forests, farm fields, and gardens existed around the world. They collect the liquid flower nectar to take back to their hives. They also collect pollen grains that stick to the hairs on their legs. The pollen rich in protein is fed to young honeybees and the honey made from the collected nectar and stored in the hive is fed to the adults.

They provide one of the most important ecosystem services of nature. It involves the transmission of pollen stuck on their male bodies to female reproductive organs of either the same flower or different flower. This fertilization allows the flower to form fruits and seeds.

Since 1980s, the population of honeybee in the U.S has declined at a rate of 30 to 40%. The factors that lead to this decline include pesticide exposure, attacks of parasitic mites, invasion of African honeybees, a virus traced to Israel, a particular type of fungus, and the poor nutrition results due to the drop in natural diversity of flowers and other plants on which the honeybees feed.

Colony collapse disorder can be defined as a phenomenon that occurs when all the bees abandon a colony. Since 1980s, the number of European honeybees was reducing. However, a massive decline in the number of bees occurred due to the disappearance of bees from their colonies in the United States and some areas of Europe since 2006.

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