How and Why Bee Populations Are Declining (Human Causes)
The rapid decline of both managed and wild bees is driven almost entirely by human activities in different environments:
- Neonicotinoid pesticides used in large-scale cropping (especially canola, cotton and horticulture) are highly toxic to bees and remain in soil and pollen for years (Woodcock et al., 2017).
- Habitat destruction: clearing of native forests and grasslands for agriculture and urban expansion removes the diverse flowering plants bees need in rural and peri-urban environments.
- Monoculture farming creates “food deserts” for bees for most of the year because only one crop flowers at a time.
- Climate change disrupts the timing of flowering and bee emergence in temperate and tropical biomes, breaking the vital synchronisation (Memmott et al., 2007).
- Transport of commercial hives spreads diseases and parasites (Varroa mite) across continents.
In Australia, feral honey bee populations in some regions have fallen by up to 90% since 2000, while commercial beekeepers regularly lose 30–50% of hives in bad seasons (DAFF, 2024).
Effects on the Environment and Future Food Security
Approximately 35% of global food crop volume (by tonnage) and 85 of the 115 most important crops rely on animal pollination (Klein et al., 2007). Specific impacts already occurring or predicted:
- Almonds (100% bee-dependent) – Australia’s industry could lose over $1 billion annually without bees.
- Apples, cherries, blueberries, avocados, macadamias, pumpkins and melons all show reduced yield and fruit quality when pollinators are scarce.
- Lower production of vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables → poorer human nutrition, especially in lower-income countries and communities.
- By 2050 the world needs ~60% more food (FAO, 2018); losing pollination services makes that target extremely difficult or impossible in many regions.
- In parts of Sichuan Province, China, farmers already hand-pollinate pear and apple trees because local bees have disappeared.
These changes are already raising food prices today and will create serious food shortages in the future if trends continue.
Realistic Solutions and the Obstacles We Face
Effective and realistic solutions that are already working in some places:
- Ban or heavily restrict neonicotinoids (EU banned three neonics in 2018 → bee populations began recovering within 2–3 years).
- Pay farmers to plant wildflower margins and reduce pesticide use (UK and some Australian “Reef Credits” style schemes).
- Encourage diverse planting and crop rotation so bees have food year-round.
- Protect and reconnect remnant native vegetation corridors.
- Support urban and community gardens, green roofs and “no-mow” policies in cities.
Differing perspectives and competing land uses (major obstacles):
- Many farmers depend on cheap, effective pesticides and fear lower yields or higher costs if banned.
- Agriculture competes directly with mining, housing estates and infrastructure for the same land.
- Chemical companies spend millions lobbying governments to keep products on the market.
- Some countries worry about trade disadvantages if they ban chemicals that trading partners still allow.
- Urban developers and councils often see long grass and wildflowers as “untidy”.
Successful change requires cooperation and compromise between farmers, governments, scientists, industry and the community.