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Post by moabiter on Jun 21, 2010 21:10:10 GMT -8
~ 21,200 species ScienceDaily (June 17, 2008) — Scientists have discovered that there are more bee species than previously thought. In the first global accounting of bee species in over a hundred years, John S. Ascher, a research scientist in the Division of Invertebrate Zoology at the American Museum of Natural History, compiled online species pages and distribution maps for more than 19,200 described bee species, showcasing the diversity of these essential pollinators. This new species inventory documents 2,000 more described, valid species than estimated by Charles Michener in the first edition of his definitive The Bees of the World published eight years ago. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080611135020.htm
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Post by clone on Aug 2, 2011 1:20:31 GMT -8
Bees in freefall as study shows sharp US decline Disease and low genetic diversity might have caused US bumblebee decline over the past few decades, say scientists Monday 3 January 2011 20.02 GMT The abundance of four common species of bumblebee in the US has dropped by 96% in just the past few decades, according to the most comprehensive national census of the insects. Scientists said the alarming decline, which could have devastating implications for the pollination of both wild and farmed plants, was likely to be a result of disease and low genetic diversity in bee populations. Bumblebees are important pollinators of wild plants and agricultural crops around the world including tomatoes and berries thanks to their large body size, long tongues, and high-frequency buzzing, which helps release pollen from flowers. www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/jan/03/bumblebees-study-us-decline
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Post by clone on May 11, 2014 7:28:58 GMT -8
Bee biodiversity boosts crop yields Date: May 9, 2014 Source: North Carolina State University Summary: Blueberries produce more seeds and larger berries if they are visited by more diverse bee species, allowing farmers to harvest significantly more pounds of fruit per acre. The researchers looked at blueberries in North Carolina because it is an economically important and well understood crop that relies on insect pollination. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140509172906.htm
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