“Foreign Bees Monopolize Prize Resources in Biodiversity Hotspot.” ScienceDaily, ScienceDaily, 20 Feb. 2019, www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190220103339.htm.
Research from the University of San Diego has identified that foreign bees have dominated the monopoly as pollinators. They have taken over the visiting flowers in San Diego, serving as a biodiversity hotspot, by 90%. The native bees simply serve as 75% of the pollinators in the area, however, the non-native bees monopolize the most abundantly blooming plant species. This is significant as these patterns could have a major effect on the ecology of the area in terms of what plants become more spread with pollination.
This research exemplifies how a non-native species can directly change the ecology and environment of an area. Bees are small creatures, but often serve as keystone species, so the fact that two breeds of bees are competing will produce interesting results and may even create adaptations or mutations in the bee population. It is not clear whether these bees could spread into other regions, or if so when they will, however, it is an observation to pay close attention to as it could pose threats to the plant life of many areas.
For many who do not understand invasive species, this is a great example. This data shows how a small creature like a bee can have immense impacts on a surrounding environment. The world needs to understand these impacts when moving things across continents as there could be a hidden and potentially catastrophic stowaway.
That is a great point, Thank you for your comment.
Great find! In what ways do you think we could protect these and remove invasive species? Would killing them be an option or morally wrong? Or is there a better solution?
I think an initially halt of any more bees coming in is the most important first step, but I can definitely foresee a moral issue of killing the bees. Thank you for your comment.
This is great because you are talking about something that many people don’t know about bees. Bees are much more important than what everyone thinks and people should become much more aware of it.