Blog #17
Read about the issues and threats pertaining to our important pollinators on the Xerces Society’s websites and answer the following prompt: (you will need to review the first three websites)
What are the major issues surrounding the use of neonicotinoids with regards to bees? Even if these chemicals were used years ago, are they still a threat- why/why not? Summarize the principles of the 'Bring back the Pollinators' campaign? What role can we all play in this issue? How have businesses such as Whole Foods helped with this issue?
http://www.xerces.org/neonicotinoids-and-bees/
Review the following for some basic information from these
sources:
Read about the issues and threats pertaining to our important pollinators on the Xerces Society’s websites and answer the following prompt: (you will need to review the first three websites)
What are the major issues surrounding the use of neonicotinoids with regards to bees? Even if these chemicals were used years ago, are they still a threat- why/why not? Summarize the principles of the 'Bring back the Pollinators' campaign? What role can we all play in this issue? How have businesses such as Whole Foods helped with this issue?
http://www.xerces.org/neonicotinoids-and-bees/
Neonicotinoids and other insecticides have been proven to be harmful and highly toxic to bees. The insecticides have been found in pollen and nectar that is consumed by bees and butterflies. Neonicotinoids also have a tendency to stay present and not break down, even if they had been used a while ago. Many plant types and soil can “store” neonicotinoids for a year or longer. Woody plants such as trees can store the toxic chemicals for over six years. This means that the use of neonicotinoids will be threatening to bees and other invertebrates, even if they were only used for a short period of time. The “Bring Back the Pollinators” initiative is a conservation campaign led by the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. Its goals are to promote pollinator-friendly flowers and nest sites, while discouraging insecticides. To accomplish this, the Xerces Society has been a part of a wide range of programs, from partnering with companies to asking for donations. We all can help out with this by supporting the society’s cause and purchasing “bee-friendly” food that was not produced using neonicotinoids or other insecticides and substances harmful to bees. Whole Foods has helped this issue in two main ways. First, the company held a webinar raising awareness on the issue. Second, the company offers several food options where a certain proportion of the money spent goes to Xerces and their efforts. These options will do a small part in helping eliminate threats toward bees.
ReplyDeleteThe biggest issue surrounding neonicotinoids and bees comes from the concern that neonicotinoids have led to the massive bee colony collapses see in recent years around the globe. Many environmentalists have concerns over neonicotinoids’ effect on bees because these chemicals are absorbed into plant tissue where they can become present in pollen and nectar thus becoming toxic poison for bees. Even if neonicotinoids were used years ago but aren’t used anymore they may still pose a threat because neonicotinoids have been shown to persist in soil for months and years after the most recent application. The “Bring back the Pollinators Campaign” has four main principles which should help to fulfill their mission; those principles are to grow a variety of pollinator-friendly flowers, provide nest site, avoid pesticides, and spread the word. These principles are meant to provide ample pollen and nectar resources which pollinators feed on, to increase the number of places which pollinators can lay eggs and where larvae can grow, to discourage the use of chemical pesticides because they are harmful to pollinators, and to help spread public awareness of the importance of pollinators and the challenges they face in the hope of encouraging change. We can play a role in this issue by following the principles of the campaign in order to protect and foster pollinator populations while encouraging our peers to do the same. Businesses such as Whole Foods have helped on this issue by using their brand to help promote education about the threats pollinators face and why people should care and they have also donated money to the Xerces Society’s Pollinator Conservation Program.
ReplyDeleteThe major issues surrounding neonicotinoids is that in which it is most likely a major cause of honey and bumble bee deaths due to the immense toxicity to the two species. Environmentalists worry that the neonicotinoids are being absorbed through the soil into pollinating plants which then pass them along to the bees through the pollen and the nectar. Neonicotinoids have shown to remain in soil for months after only one application and remained to be a threat in woody areas six years after being applied. These toxic chemicals remain to be a threat because they stay in the soil and can be absorbed by new plants years later.
ReplyDeleteThe Bring Back The Pollinators' campaign is mainly focused on four principles: grow a variety of pollinator-friendly flowers, provide nest sites, avoid pesticides, and spread the word on the issue. The first principle is important because the growth of new flowers would provide the nectar and pollen necessary for the pollinators. Next, a place for the pollinators to lay eggs and reproduce is extremely important. Then reducing the use of pesticides would allow for the pollinators to flourish without being killed upon absorbing what they need from the plants. Finally spreading the word in the community can educate others to do simple things that will greatly help the pollinators in their natural environment. I think the best role for us to play would be to spread the word throughout our community. Attending a university as large as ours allows us to easily influence thousands of people solely by walking on campus and talking to them. The main way that Whole foods is able to help this cause is by selling foods of which a portion of the money spent is given to Xerces to help maintain the progress of the cause.
Neonicotinoids is a chemical pesticide that has been linked to the destruction of bee colonies. IT embeds itself in the pollen that the pollinators later digest. Though no direct link has been formally announced between the chemical and bee deaths, it absolutely makes bees more susceptible to pathogens that they could normally be immune to. Homeowners are generally unaware of the damage they are causing becuase product labels do not provide any warning and instruct high levels of distribution. Even if the chemicals were only used years ago, the chemical persists in the soil for a long time before it stops harming pollinators. The Bring Back the Pollinators campaign intends to plant more flowers and trees, avoid pesticides, and educate the public. Anyone can help with this movement by simply talking about the issue in normal conversation regardless of where someone lives. In addition, harmful fertilizers should be phased out and more pollination plants spread through the community. Companies like Whole Foods are doing just that by hosting webinars to educate its customers. In doing so, it hopes to motivate people to action.
ReplyDeleteBusinesses like these will help spread the word to preserve the bee population. Pesticides are a major issue that still need to be explored. People have the delusion that their effects will go away once they are phased about but they have much more long term ramifications.
ReplyDeleteThe major issues surrounding the use of neonicotinoids with the regard to the bees is that it is most likely a big contributor to the cause of honey and bumble bee deaths. This happens due to the massive toxicity to those two species. Environmentalists are concerned that the neonicotinoids are being taken in through the soil keen on pollinating plants, that from there then pass it along to the bees. It is passed on though the pollen and the plant’s nectar. Neonicotinoids have been exposed to linger in soil for over months at a time after only one application. They also have been shown to remain and be a threat in wooded areas up to six years after being applied. The reason that these toxi chemicals continue to be a threat is because they stay in the soil, and can also be absorbed by new plants year after year.
ReplyDelete‘The Bring Back the Pollinators” campaign is predominantly concentrated on these four principles; spread the word on the issue, grow a variety of pollinator-friendly flowers, avoid pesticides, and provide nest sites. Spreading the word on the issue within the community would benefit because it would educate others to participate in simple things that could greatly help the pollinators in their natural habitat. The growth of new flowers principle is essential because they would supply the nectar and pollen vital for the pollinators. Providing nest sites would introduce a place for the pollinators to lay eggs and reproduce. Finally, avoiding pesticides and the use of them would allow for the pollinators to thrive, without the risk of being killed from absorbing what nutrients they take in from the plants. The most excellent part that we could play would be to spread the word among our communities. As a benefit we have from attending such a large university, it allows us to be able to effortlessly induce thousands of people on campus, just by walking by and giving them a little information. The big way that Whole Foods has been able to help this cause is by selling foods that grant a portion of their proceeds to Xerces and help retain the progression of this cause.
Neonicotinoids are insecticides that are synthetic, but closely resemble nicotine (nicotine was used as an insecticide before WW2). They are used on crops, mostly with the intention of ridding plants of pests like aphids and leaf beetles, termites, and fleas. It is not definite that the neonicotinoids are causing honeybee die-offs, but evidence and research is suggesting that is the case. These insecticides are toxic to honeybees and bumblebees, and the residues found in the pollen may reach concentrations that result in the bees’ death. Neonicotinoids are still a threat even if no longer in current use because they can remain in the soil for months after one application and have documented to leave residues in woody plants that lasted up to six from when they were originally applied. Neonicotinoids are shown to make bees more vulnerable to parasites and pathogens. They are absorbed into plant tissues and can remain for years. The Bring Back the Pollinators campaign is focused on growing pollinator-friendly flowers, providing a nest site for these pollinators, avoiding pesticide use, and spreading this information around. Growing the right kind of flowers and shrubs is important, as is leaving spaces for eggs and larvae to grow. Eliminating the use of pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides is another component of the Bring Back the Pollinators campaign. Whole Foods is taking part in this by the establishment of its Share the Buzz bee conservation initiative. They have established a webinar through the Xerces Society Pollinator Conservation Program. This webinar was created with the intention of educating farmers and suppliers on the importance of protecting pollinators. These webinars give the farmers tips for how to farm in a pollinator-friendly way, ways to restore bee habitats, and general information they may not have been previously aware of. In order for us to participate, we can make sure we are not using these insecticides in our yards and make sure we leave space for bee larvae as well as simply spreading the word to increase people’s awareness of this issue.
ReplyDeleteNeonicotinoids have been proven harmful to honey bees. Neonicotinoids have been sold to homeowners for use in the garden or on the land. Since people may use it in their gardens or their land, it is in the soil and the plant and the bees who pollinate that plant are then when the bee feeds on the plant they are getting the neonicotinoids in them. The residues from the neonicotinoids have been found in the nectar and pollen and certain amounts of this can be lethal to the bees. There are 4 principles that "Bring back the pollinators" is based on. The first principle is to plant the right trees, shrubs, and flowers at the right times will help with pollinators from spring till fall. The flowers provide the nectar that pollinators feed on. The second principle is to install nesting blocks for bees because laying their eggs is very important for the pollinators. You can also make homes for caterpillars by growing plants for butterflies. The third principle is try not to use any herbicides or pesticides in your plant growing because these pesticides are harmful to pollinators. This can reduce the amount of flowers which will reduce the amount of food for pollinators. The fourth principle is to talk to your friends and neighbors about ways to help bring back these pollinators! It is essential that we all try to do at least 1 out of the 4 basic principles. Just a little bit of help from everyone will make a significant difference in trying to save the pollinators. Whole Foods has launched a conservation initiative called Buzz Bee. They held a webinar that was co-sponsored by 20 other whole food stores. It talked about the importance of the pollinators and why we all need to take action to save them. I think it is great that businesses are being proactive and are wanting to save the pollinators!
ReplyDeletemeonicotnoids are so dangerous because they are the leading cause to deaths of bee colones. It was a product sold to home owners to fertilize and help plant growth. This is a huge problem cause it stores in the plant cells, in the pollen and nectar. Bees are not only ingesting the neonicotnoid infected pollen. They are spreading the toxin around from plant to plant because of pollen. Not to mention they are infesting the hive. Even though this product isnt used anymore, it is still showing up in soil, thus being absorbed by the plant,. One thing helping the natural polonation cycle is the "Bring back the polonators" They believe that there should be polonation friendly flowers, a proper nest site, pesticide free growing invirement, and most importantly to spread the word. They want the natural polonation process to become a bigger concern to most, and to inform those who dont know how polonator bees play a big role in our ecosystem. They want a safe area for the bees to populate, reproduce, and live (meaning pollinate" People just need to be aware that this is a problem, and that it can affect plant and some food growth in the long run. For example whole foods sell brands that promote healthy pollination pyrotechnics, no pest aside.
ReplyDeleteOne of the major issues associated with the presence of neonicotinoids in plants is that is highly toxic to bees and bumblebees. Neonicotinoids are types of insecticides known for being chemically related to nicotine. These deadly chemicals leave a residue in pollen and nectar which can then be absorbed by the pollinators, causing lethal consequences. Also, neonicotinoids have been banned in some countries because of its indirect link to CCD-Colony Collapse Disorder; honey bees have a lower immunity to pathogens and parasites after being exposed to neonicotinoids. Even if the insecticide is used years ago, it will still have an impact on the environment because it takes many years for the components to break down. Neonicotinoids can stay in the soil for over 6 years, contaminating the plants utilizing the soil the next year; and as the bees pollinate the plants they too become contaminated. The first principle for the “Bring back the Pollinators” campaign is make sure you have the best flower selection in your yard/area that will help support the bees virtually year-round. Second, pollinators need a place to lay their larvae so take that into consideration when doing yard work. Also, insecticides, pesticides (all of them) are toxic to pollinators so do not use them! Lastly, talk with people in your area about the importance of pollinators so information is well known. By just following these simple principles and trying to always be aware, we all can help attack this issue. Whole foods supports the cause through their association with the Pollinator Conservation Program. They try and educate buyers as well as suppliers on the importance of saving the pollinators.
ReplyDeleteOne of the major issues involving neonicotinoids is that the use of these synthetic materials are causing honey bees and bumblebees to die off. The purpose of these neonicotinoids is to prevent other insects such as beetles from eating and destroying crops, but they are obviously having much worse effects. Even though these chemicals are no longer being used, they are still dangerous and a threat because they stay in the soil around the area that they were originally put, casuing more plants to have the chemicals on them. The Bring Back the Pollinators campaign focuses on four principles.These principles are grow a variety of pollinator-friendly flowers, provide nest sites, avoid pesticides, and spread the word on the issue. These principles have the goal of providing more places that pollinators can lay their eggs, providing the nectar these pollinators need, trying to prevent the use of harmful chemicals on plant growth, and helping to increase awareness of this issue. We can help fight this issue by supporting this cause in any way we can, such as not using harmful pesticides and spreading the word.Whole Foods spreads awareness by holding webinars to show the importance of these pollinators.
ReplyDeleteI have been educated during high school about this on going problem of how we can save unprotected bees in nature. Neonicotinoids are what is becoming very toxic to our pollinators. These poisons get absorbed into various plants that these bees draw nectar and pollen from. What we are mainly focusing on is how highly lethal this poison is to our well known honey bees as well as bumblebees. For months these Neonicotinoids lay in the soil and in some cases it can be found in woody plants from about six years ago. This is a very serious toxin that is not only affecting plants, but numerous bees and humans, because of the production chain that plays a part. Having a plant still be affected by Neonictinoids after years of research taken shows how greatly this problem needs to be addressed. Bring Back The Pollinators is only one of the many groups trying to force this issue nation wide and to make many aware of this problem. BBTP brakes down their mission into a four step strategy where they provide new protected flower beds as well as plants that are in now way going to be polluted. They also make room for pollinators to lay their eggs for not only bees but also butterflies to start a healthy habitat for their kind. Lastly, their main objective is to have everyone do what they can to volunteer to help and spread the word amongst the people you see on a daily basis. Whole Foods Market linked up with Xerces Society to educate its produce farmers on how important it is to protect these pollinators. Eat delicious Organic Cantaloupe, Munch on Honey Chia bread, and Bee a smart shopper are only a few of the ideas Whole Foods have started. Their ideas consist of donating two weeks to selling cantaloupes to help donate money, as well as purchasing only Whole Foods Market vendor to help raise awareness nationwide. As long as the awareness is being raised with liable information about how serious a topic this can be, that is all this campaign really needs, for a push in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteThe major issues the use of neonicotinoids has on bees is that this chemical is absorbed into plant tissue and is therefore oftentimes present in pollen and nectar, which is poisonous to pollinators and therefore dangerous to the bee population. If this pesticide is applied to plants only one time, it can still be found in the soil for months or even years thereafter, making it still a threat to bees. It is also a threat to bees because it could possibly make them more susceptible to parasites and pathogens. Unfortunately, the suggested neonicotinoid rate used largely on lawns, gardens, and decorative trees is about 120 times higher than rates approved for agriculture crops. This makes these areas especially dangerous for our bees. The ‘Bring back the Pollinators’ campaign’s main goals are to grow pollinator friendly flowers using no pesticides, making nest sites for bees, and telling people about their mission. The nest sites are good for bees to lay eggs and for larvae to grow.
ReplyDeleteThings we can do to help make a difference are to spread the word, making people aware of the problem, and also making sure that we don’t use pesticides when planting gardens. Businesses, such as Whole Foods, have started the bee conservation movement “Share the Buzz”, which focuses on educating produce farmers and suppliers on the issue as well as on bee ecology, pollinator-friendly farming strategies, and ideas for restoring bee habitats. Their main goal is to spread awareness and then initiate action.
The Neonicotinoids are absorbed into plant tissue. The problem with this is that they become present in the pollen which makes them a danger to the pollinators. Another issue that has come up is with the soil. Nonicotinoids can stay in the soil for years, and for all plants in this soil this is bad news for them. Although research cannot link the neonicotinoids directly to the cause of CCD, a bee disease, evidence has shown that they cause the parasite Nosema which is a causing factor to CCD.
ReplyDeleteThe four principles of Bring Back the Pollinators are: grow a variety of pollinator-friendly flowers, provide nest site, avoid pesticides, and spread the word. We should grow the pollinator friendly flowers because the flowers are the nectar and pollen resources. Also, a place for the bees to lay eggs is necessary. For our part in this, we can leave piles of brush or open patches on the ground for them to nest. It is essential for them to reproduce. Pesticides, particularly insecticides and herbicides, should be avoided at all costs simply because they are harmful in many ways to the pollinators. And, lastly by talking to others and increasing awareness of this issue it is already helping the cause. To aid in awareness, Whole Foods has created a campaign called Share the Buzz. There is even a variety of activities that everyone can partake in during National Pollinator Week. Getting more and more people involved with an issue that is not really well-known is a key part of this campaign.
Neonicotinoids are absorbed into the plant tissue poisoning the pollinators that land on this tissue. Even if the chemicals were applied months or even years ago they still play a threat to the pollinators because they sit in the soil and leaves for a while, overly absorbed. If the plant is untreated the chemicals will sit in the soil for up to a year, making it easy to contaminate the future plants at that growing site. “Bring back the pollinators” is a campaign that focuses on growing a variety of pollinator-friendly flowers, provide nest site, avoid pesticides, and spread the word. We can all play an important by Growing the right flowers, shrubs, and trees with overlapping bloom times that will support pollinators from spring through fall. You can install bee-nesting blocks (or simply leave patches of bare ground, brush piles, and snags for native bees to occupy) and make homes for caterpillars by growing host plants for butterflies found in your area. Also, you can avoid use of personal pesticides. Businesses such as Whole Foods have brought attention to the issue making the use of neonicotinoids and the corresponding bee deaths public knowledge. They hold festivals, fairs, and events that raise money and awareness for the issue around the country. They make the benefits of pollinators more well known which in turn make citizens want to help and protest neonicotinoids and other harmful substances.
ReplyDeleteNeonicotinoids are toxic chemicals uses as an insecticide. However, the chemicals in these have become extremely dangerous for pollinators. As bees land on flowers and gather pollen the Neonicotinoids is in the pollen. It is then transferred to their food source and ultimately kills the bees. The chemicals found in Neonicotinoids stay around for many months and therefore can have an ongoing affect on the bee population. The "Bring back the Pollinators" campaign has been put in place to stop such dangerous human behaviour. It focuses on growing flowers that are "pollinator-friendly" and that avoid the use of pesticides. This will help to provide nest for the pollinators. However, the word needs to be spread which is where we can help. Also, Businesses such as whole foods provide programs where a percentage of the proceeds benefit the protection of pollinators. They also sell food that is grown in a "pollinator-friendly environment."
ReplyDelete