Predicting bee health in a changing world

Nearly 90% of flowering plant species use pollinators to set seed and fruit. However, many populations of managed pollinators, including honey bees, and wild pollinators are in decline worldwide. Multiple interacting factors are driving pollinator declines, many of which are associated with biotic and abiotic features of the landscape, including poor nutrition due to reduced abundance and diversity of flowering plant species, unintended negative impacts of pesticide use, increased disease pressure in areas with high population densities of managed bees, and changing climate. By mapping of land use patterns and economic value of pollination services across the continental US, we have evaluated how the resources, risks, and requirements for bees have changed over time, and identified areas that are particularly challenged. Through several studies which leveraged long-term and large-scale data sets of honey bee and wild bee populations, we identified the primary land use and weather factors that drive changes in bee health and bee populations. Our results demonstrate the weather conditions from previous seasons are significant drivers of honey bee colony growth and mortality, as well as wild bee abundance and diversity. However, different bee species and populations are responsive to different factors, likely as a result of their individual physiologies and natural history. Through the Beescape decision support tool, we are seeking to make information on landscape quality for bees accessible to the public, policymakers and a broad range of stakeholder groups.