WCC037: Maximizing the Effectiveness of Bees as Pollinators of Agricultural Crops
Statement of Issues and Justification
The number of professionals working on the pollination requirements and mechanics of plants in agricultural and in unmanaged ecosystems in the western region of the United States has been sharply reduced over the past five years due to retirements and shrinking Federal and University budgets. Concurrently, bee diseases, parasitic mites, predators, and the Africanization of European honey bees have reduced both feral and managed pollinator populations even as the pollination requirements of new and established crops continue to grow.The western United States, because of its unique climate, is the principal producer of fruit, many berries, vegetable seeds, legumes, and hybrid oil seed crops. All these crops require bee-mediated pollination to produce commercial yields. Some of these crops are pollinated by honey bees while others depend largely or exclusively on solitary bees.
The proposed objectives of this proposal closely coincide with those established by all participating western region institutions. Each of the western states faces similar problems in meeting pollinator deficits on many of their crops and each is cognizant of the adverse economic effects of the continuing decline in bee populations.
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