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Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Early stress endangers reproduction and survival of pollinators
New research shows that climatic changes to which bumblebee queens are exposed in their early life stages impair their survival and reproductive abilities, which can also have a negative impact on ecosystems and agriculture. The study was led by Dr. Ruth Archer and Prof. Lena Wilfert, who have just moved from the University of Ulm to the University of Regensburg, based on a long-term data set collected at ETH Zurich by Paul Schmid-Hempel’s lab.
While rising summer temperatures can obviously pose a major threat to insects, the current study shows that other climatic changes also have serious consequences for Swiss bumblebees in the Alpine foothills and the Jura: Mild winters disrupt their natural rhythm. Instead of remaining in hibernation, they become active and use up their energy reserves – with fatal consequences for their chances of survival and the establishment of new colonies in spring.
Unusually heavy rainfall at the wrong time also affects the animals. It makes it more difficult for them to find food, as its more difficult to forage for pollen and nectar when it rains. The study makes it clear that climate change affects bumblebees not only through heat, but above all through the shift and intensification of seasonal weather events.
Climate change affects bumblebees in the middle of their habitat
“Our results show that various climatic factors – especially temperature and precipitation – in combination significantly impair the living conditions of bumblebee queens,” explains lead author Dr. Ruth Archer. Years that are both warm and humid are particularly dangerous. “It is worrying that we are observing these negative effects in the middle of the bumblebee's range – in other words, where one would actually expect moderate effects of climate change.”
Bumblebees already suffer from a variety of stress factors: habitat loss, pesticides, and disease take their toll. This study shows that climate change exacerbates these stresses. “Since bumblebees pollinate not only wildflowers but also important crops such as tomatoes and blueberries, the consequences could extend far beyond the insect world – with noticeable effects on ecosystems and agriculture.”
Study results also give cause for hope
Despite the challenges that climate change poses for pollinators, lead author Prof. Lena Wilfert sees reason for optimism: "Our study shows that many of the climate-related effects on the bumblebee populations studied are closely related to the availability of food resources. Warm and humid years can limit foraging activity in summer or cause queens to use up their reserves more quickly in winter."
Flowering gardens as a ray of hope for bee conservation
But this also presents an opportunity: “If we ensure that bumblebees find sufficient flowers during crucial phases of their development, we can protect them from the worst effects of climate change.”
The authors of the study emphasize that even small measures can have a big impact. “It's easy to feel overwhelmed by climate change,” the researchers write. “But this insight offers a simple and effective way to support bees: by designing gardens, roadsides, and public green spaces with diverse, continuously flowering plants—from early spring to late summer—we can create vital oases for bumblebees and other pollinators.” This continuous supply of flowers can help insects cope better with the challenges of a changing climate – and gives us as a society a little time to develop sustainable solutions for climate protection.
Prof. Dr. Lena Wilfert
Institute of Zoology
University of Regensburg
Phone: 0049 941 943 2754
Email: lena.wilfert@ur.de
https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2656.70140
Bumblebee - Young Queen
Source: Lena Wilfert
Criteria of this press release:
Journalists, all interested persons
Biology
transregional, national
Scientific Publications
English
Bumblebee - Young Queen
Source: Lena Wilfert
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