Library Home: Agriculture, Horticulture &amp; Natural Resources: Special Topics: Species Decline

What are the factors involved in the decline of bats

AI Overview: Bees are facing a decline due to many factors, including:

Habitat loss: Changes in land development, such as intensive farming, have destroyed pollinator-friendly habitats, removing food sources and nesting sites for bees.
Pesticides: Widespread use of pesticides, especially neonicotinoid insecticides, can harm bees.
Climate change: Global warming and drought can contribute to bee decline.
Parasites and pathogens: In spring 2022, more than 40% of bee colonies were infected with varroa mites, a parasite that can quickly lead to colony collapse. This combination of issues is called Colony Collapse Disorder.
Competition: Competition between native and introduced bee species can also contribute to bee decline

Threats to Bees - Museum of the Earth (museumoftheearth.org/)
Multiple factors contribute to honey bee colony loss:
Diseases.
Parasites.
Pesticides.
Long-distance transportation of colonies.
Winter survival rates.
Limited floral resources.
Fluctuations in the honey market.
Colony Collapse Disorder: Why Are Bees Dying? - NRDC (nrdc.org)
Pesticides: These chemicals are designed, of course, to kill insects. But some systemic varieties—specifically neonicotinoids—are worse for bees than others.
Loss of habitat: As rural areas become urban, the patches of green space that remain are often stripped of all weeds and their flowers, which bees rely on for food.
Climate change: Unusually warm winters have caused plants to shift their schedules. When bees come out of hibernation, the flowers they need to feed on have already bloomed and died.
Disease: Pathogens carried by mites weaken bees, which makes them more susceptible to pesticide poisoning.

AI Overview: Birds face many threats, both natural and human-caused, that can contribute to their decline:

Habitat loss: Birds need places to live, find food, rest, and raise their young. Habitat loss can be caused by human actions like expanding agriculture and unsustainable forest management.
Invasive species: Non-native animals or plants can have a negative impact on native species and habitats. For example, cats and other invasive species can threaten birds.
Collisions: Birds can collide with glass and industrial infrastructure.
Exposure to toxins: Birds can be harmed by pesticides and other toxic chemicals. For example, DDT has been linked to the decline of bald eagles and other birds of prey.
Climate change: Climate change is expected to make these threats worse and accelerate the loss of bird habitats