Unlocking the Secrets of Southeast Bumble Bees: A Citizen-Led Conservation Effort

In a world where the hum of bumblebee wings has become a rare melody, there's a dedicated group of individuals on a mission. Meet Bryan Tompkins, a seasoned entomologist who can identify bumblebees with a mere glance. But he's not alone; Laurie Hamon, a biologist with a passion for insects, is also part of this essential effort. Their goal? To protect and preserve the bumblebees of the Southeast.

As our world faces the critical decline of these vital pollinators, the Southeast Bumble Bee Atlas has emerged as a beacon of hope. Bryan Tompkins, a dedicated member of the US Fish and Wildlife Service's field office in Asheville, North Carolina, has spent countless hours collecting data on these enigmatic creatures. Their importance in our ecosystem cannot be overstated, yet their decline remains a pressing issue.

The Southeast Bumble Bee Atlas, a collaborative project between the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, federal and state wildlife officials, and volunteers across the Carolinas, Georgia, and Tennessee, is changing the game. In this article, we delve into the world of bumblebees, the challenges they face, and the remarkable efforts of citizen scientists.

Why It Matters

Bumblebees, despite their ubiquity, have been under-researched. The limited number of scientists studying them has led to significant knowledge gaps, making it challenging to determine which species are in need of protection. But this is where the Southeast Bumble Bee Atlas shines. This citizen science project is harnessing the power of volunteers, who are actively participating in bee hunts and reporting their findings on the online platform, Bumble Bee Watch.

The Southeast Bumble Bee Atlas has already made significant progress in its first year, with over 1,800 bees recorded during more than 190 surveys. The plan is to continue this fieldwork through 2025, aiming to cover each of the 276 designated "grid cells" at least twice a year.

A Perfect Role for Citizen Scientists

Laurie Hamon, a biologist with the Xerces Society, emphasizes the suitability of bumblebees for amateur naturalists. With the ability to reliably identify them from photographs, this is a catch-and-release mission that allows you to contribute valuable data without harm to the bees.

Unlocking the Mystery

The Southeast Bumble Bee Atlas has revealed some fascinating findings. At least 15 different bumblebee species have been identified in the Southeast, including the critically endangered rusty patched bumblebee and the variable cuckoo bumblebee. However, some of these species haven't been recorded by scientists in the region for years.

This lack of basic information about their abundance and distribution makes it difficult for these bees to qualify for formal protection. Gabriela Garrison, a biologist with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, is passionate about bringing the atlas to the Southeast to address this gap. She believes that several Southeastern species should be listed as federally endangered, a step crucial to their survival.

Empowering Change

The data collected through the atlas is a powerful tool for each participating state. It allows for the refinement of Wildlife Action Plans, guiding land management and funding allocation. Additionally, it empowers state wildlife experts to advise private landowners, who manage a significant portion of the study area, and informs federal decisions about listing bumblebee species as endangered.

The Ongoing Challenges

Bumblebees face a multitude of challenges, including habitat loss due to development and the replacement of native plants with introduced landscaping. The threat of diseases, particularly viruses and fungi originating from domesticated bees, poses another significant concern.

Climate change further disrupts the natural rhythms of these vital insects. Warmer soil temperatures force queen bees to emerge from hibernation prematurely, potentially leading to their starvation if host plants are affected by late freezes.

A Call to Action

While the Southeast Bumble Bee Atlas is invaluable for its scientific contributions, it also seeks to raise public awareness and encourage advocacy. Many people have already been trained for the project, and an online orientation video has garnered a significant number of views.

Pamela Zendt, a graduate student and editor of The Everyday Scientist, is among those who have been inspired by this initiative. The atlas has given her a new perspective on bumblebees and the crucial role they play as pollinators. It has also sparked a sense of wonder and joy as she watches bees emerge from flowers, covered in pollen.

Join the Cause

The Southeast Bumble Bee Atlas is more than a citizen science project; it's a movement to protect and preserve the bees that sustain our ecosystems. Join this vital cause and become a part of the solution. Every bee counts, and together, we can ensure the survival of these incredible creatures.

#BeeSavers, #ProtectOurPollinators, #CitizenConservation, #BumblebeeWatch

이 블로그의 인기 게시물

Non-contact exposure to dinotefuran disrupts honey bee homing by altering MagR and Cry2 gene expression

Non-contact exposure to dinotefuran disrupts honey bee homing by altering MagR and Cry2 gene expression Dinotefuran is known to negatively affect honeybee ( Apis mellifera ) behavior, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. The magnetoreceptor ( MagR , which responds to magnetic fields) and cryptochrome ( Cry2 , which is sensitive to light) genes are considered to play important roles in honey bees’ homing and localization behaviors. Our study found that dinotefuran, even without direct contact, can act like a magnet, significantly altering MagR expression in honeybees. This non-contact exposure reduced the bees’ homing rate. In further experiments, we exposed foragers to light and magnetic fields, the MagR gene responded to magnetic fields only in the presence of light, with Cry 2 playing a key switching role in the magnetic field receptor mechanism ( MagR–Cry2 ). Yeast two-hybrid and BiFc assays confirmed an interactio...

New Report – Interlocked: Midwives and the Climate Crisis

New Report – Interlocked: Midwives and the Climate Crisis Earlier this year, midwives from 41 countries shared their experiences of working in communities affected by climate change through our survey, Midwives’ Experiences and Perspectives on Climate Change. Their voices shaped our new report, Interlocked: Midwives and the Climate Crisis , which highlights how midwives are already responding to the health impacts of climate disasters like floods, wildfires, and extreme heat—and why they must be included in climate action plans. What did we learn?Climate change is damaging community health: 75% of midwives reported that climate change is harming the communities they serve, with rising rates of preterm births, food insecurity, and restricted access to care during disasters like floods. Midwives are critical first responders: Midwives are often the first and only healthcare providers on the ground in crises, delivering care during wildfires, floods, and extreme heat. Midwives face signi...

Bee attack claims life of newspaper distributor

Bee attack claims life of newspaper distributor Newspaper distributor Pushparaja Shetty (45), who sustained severe injuries in a bee attack, succumbed to his injuries on Thursday at a hospital in Mangaluru. Pushparaja was attacked by a swarm of bees on Wednesday morning while walking at Kenjaru Taangadi under Bajpe town panchayat limits. He was immediately admitted to a hospital for treatment but could not survive the ordeal. Fondly known as ‘Boggu’ in the Porkodi area, Pushparaja was well-known for his dedication to delivering newspapers on foot to every household. He was admired for his generosity, as he often distributed sweets to schoolchildren on Independence Day using his own earnings and contributed part of his income to the betterment of society. Pushparaja was unmarried and is survived by three brothers and one sister.

“Global honey crisis”: Testing technology and local sourcing soars amid fraud and tampering concerns

“Global honey crisis”: Testing technology and local sourcing soars amid fraud and tampering concerns The World Beekeeping Awards will not grant a prize for honey next year due to the “inability” to thoroughly test honey for adulteration. The announcement comes amid the rise of honey fraud in the EU, where a 2023 investigation found that 46% of 147 honey samples tested were likely contaminated with low-cost plant syrups. Apimondia, the International Federation of Beekeepers’ Associations, organizes the event at its Congress, whose 49th edition will be held in Copenhagen, Denmark, in September 2025. The conference brings together beekeepers, scientists and other stakeholders. “We will celebrate honey in many ways at the Congress, but honey will no longer be a category, and thus, there will be no honey judging in the World Beekeeping Awards. The lessons learned from Canada 2019 and Chile 2023 were that adequate testing was impossible if we are to award winning honey at the Con...

Unveiling the Canopy's Secrets: New Bee Species Discovered in the Pacific

Unveiling the Canopy's Secrets: New Bee Species Discovered in the Pacific In an exciting development for environmentalists and beekeeping experts, researchers have discovered eight new species of masked bees in the Pacific Islands, shining a light on the rich biodiversity hidden within the forest canopy. This discovery underscores the critical role bees play in our ecosystems and the pressing need for conservation efforts to protect these vital pollinators. A New Frontier in Bee Research By exploring the forest canopy, scientists have opened a new frontier in bee research, revealing species that have adapted to life high above the ground. These discoveries are crucial for understanding the complex relationships between bees, flora, and the broader ecosystem. The new species of masked bees, characterized by their striking black bodies with yellow or white highlights, particularly on their faces, rely exclusively on the forest canopy for survival. The Importance of Bee Conservation...

Start the New Year Humming Like a Bee

Start the New Year Humming Like a Bee There are lots of opportunities to be as busy as a bee during these winter holidays. As we hustle toward the dawn of the New Year, it can be hard to notice that the natural world is actually suggesting something different for us right now. We’re past the solstice, but the winter still stretches ahead, the days are still short and the nights long. We’re being invited into a quieter, more inner-focused time. The ancient yogis were all about this inner focus. In India, for example, the Upanishads, the Sanskrit writings that accompanied the development of Hinduism — and alongside it, yoga — beginning around 800 B.C.E., went deeper than earlier texts had into philosophy and questions of being. With the goals of increased inner awareness and higher consciousness, yoga was at that time not yet as focused on the body or on asanas, as it now can tend to be. But the yogis did develop many practices to try to open the way to those goals. They discovered...

The Essential Role of Bees in Our Ecosystem and the Challenges They Face

The Essential Role of Bees in Our Ecosystem and the Challenges They Face Bees have been an integral part of our ecosystem and human agriculture for over four centuries, primarily utilized for their honey in the early days. Now, they are recognized more for their critical role in pollination, which directly impacts a vast majority of the food we consume. Mark Lilly, a prominent beekeeper, emphasizes that without bees' pollination efforts, a significant portion of our diet would be at risk. However, bees face numerous threats, including varroa mites and, in specific regions like West Virginia, black bears. These challenges necessitate concerted efforts for preservation and protection. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Q1: Why are bees so important to the ecosystem? A1: Bees are crucial for pollinating plants, which is necessary for the production of fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Without bees, a large portion of the food we eat would not be available. Q2: What are the main threats to...

The Growing Dilemma of Pet Burials in South Korea: Environmental and Legal Hurdles

The Growing Dilemma of Pet Burials in South Korea: Environmental and Legal Hurdles As the number of pets in South Korea steadily increases, pet owners face a growing dilemma due to the limited number of pet cemeteries across the country. Under the current legal framework, pet remains are classified as household waste, requiring specific disposal methods that are neither convenient nor easily accessible for all citizens. The imbalance between the rising pet population—over 5.52 million households with pets by the end of 2022—and the mere 70 registered pet cemeteries has led to significant challenges. This shortage is particularly evident in regions like Jeju Island, where pet owners must undergo arduous journeys to the mainland to ensure their pets receive proper burials. The root cause of this shortage lies in the strict regulations governing the establishment of pet cemeteries. These facilities, which must include crematoriums, face numerous restrictions, such as proximity to resident...

Climate Crisis Claims Glacier's Vital Climate Data Archive

Climate Crisis Claims Glacier's Vital Climate Data Archive A recent study published in Nature Geoscience reveals a distressing consequence of global warming: the irreversible loss of valuable climate data stored in alpine glaciers. The research, conducted by a team led by Margit Schwikowski from the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), underscores the alarming rate at which glaciers are melting and highlights the implications for climate research. The study focuses on the Corbassière glacier at Grand Combin in Switzerland, where ice cores drilled in 2018 and 2020 were intended to serve as vital climate archives. However, comparing the two sets of ice cores reveals a grim reality—global warming has rendered the glacier unsuitable as a reliable climate archive. Glaciers, renowned as climate archives, encapsulate valuable information about past climatic conditions and atmospheric compositions. The fluctuating concentrations of trace substances in ice layers provide insights into historica...

German election: Climate and environment take a back seat

German election: Climate and environment take a back seat When the coalition government comprising the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) , Greens and neoliberal Free Democratic Party (FDP) emerged after the last German federal election in the fall of 2021, then-incoming Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) did not object to being called the "climate chancellor." That was no surprise: the climate crisis had been a top issue during the election campaign. The new government made the fight against climate change a task for the Economy Ministry and appointed Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck from the Greens as its head. Three and a half years later, campaign speeches barely mention climate protection. The dominant issues are how to curb irregular immigration and how to boost Germany's sluggish economy. Skeptical view of renewable energy The head of the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) , Friedrich Merz ...

Small actions make a big difference engilsh dkbee.com

이 블로그 검색