Impact of Decline of Wild Bees

The University of Vermont completed the first national study to map U.S. wild bees. As can be seen by the map, there is concern that they are disappearing in critical areas of croplands, particularly in the Midwest, California, West Texas, Mississippi Valley, and the Pacific Northwest. Because bees are so critical for pollination, this loss will mean that farmers will face increasing costs to raise the same crops. It will also affect the U.S. ability to produce food. In particular, crops such as pumpkins, watermelons, pears, peaches, plums, apples, and blueberries have experienced the greatest loss while having greater pollination needs so they seem the most at risk in these areas. Many Holistic Management practitioners work to improve diversity of plants on their land as well as use practices to increase soil health and encourage insects that help plant growth and vigor such as wild bees.