Why Bees Are So Vulnerable to Environmental Stressors. (April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Klein, Simon; Cabirol, Amélie; Devaud, Jean-Marc; Barron, Andrew B.; Lihoreau, Mathieu
• Is Part Of: Trends in ecology & evolution. Volume 32:Number 4(2017)
• Page Start: 268
• Page End: 278
• Publication Date: 2017-04
• Subjects: pollinators -- brain functions -- central-place foraging -- cognition -- environmental stressors -- pesticides; Ecology -- Periodicals; Evolution (Biology) -- Periodicals; 576.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2016.12.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0169-5347

Abstract

Abstract : Bee populations are declining in the industrialized world, raising concerns for the sustainable pollination of crops. Pesticides, pollutants, parasites, diseases, and malnutrition have all been linked to this problem. We consider here neurobiological, ecological, and evolutionary reasons why bees are particularly vulnerable to these environmental stressors. Central-place foraging on flowers demands advanced capacities of learning, memory, and navigation. However, even at low intensity levels, many stressors damage the bee brain, disrupting key cognitive functions needed for effective foraging, with dramatic consequences for brood development and colony survival. We discuss how understanding the relationships between the actions of stressors on the nervous system, individual cognitive impairments, and colony decline can inform constructive interventions to sustain bee populations.