Island's Stealthy Research Unveils Battle Among Bee Colonies

Italian Island Study Reveals Alarming Impact of Honeybees on Wild Bee Populations

Over the past four years, a remote Italian island called Giannutri has served as an unexpected laboratory for ecologists, providing insights into the competitive dynamics between domesticated honeybees and native wild bees. In the absence of honeybees, the researchers observed a surge in nectar and pollen levels, allowing wild bees to forage more, change their daily routines, and significantly boost their numbers.

Led by ecologist Lorenzo Pasquali, now at the University of Bialystok, Poland, the team conducted a unique experiment to investigate the impact of honeybees on the island's native flora and fauna. When honeybee queens were brought to Giannutri to raise in isolation, wild bees were found to be scarce. Observations revealed that, on average, honeybees outnumbered wild bees by a significant margin.

Seeking to better understand the consequences of this imbalance, Pasquali and his colleagues decided to pause honeybee activity on the island. Every other morning, they sealed off the entrances to 18 honeybee hives, keeping the bees inside until late afternoon while monitoring the wild pollinators. The researchers found that, during the honeybee absence, nectar volume increased by over 50% in some plants, and pollen levels spiked by nearly 30%. Moreover, they observed a rise in searching behavior and prolonged nectar feeding by wild bees.

Over a period of four years, the team monitored wild bee populations on the island and found that Anthophora dispar, a solitary native bee species, and Bombus terrestris, a type of bumblebee, saw a decrease of nearly 80% compared to their initial population levels in 2021. Though the researchers initially expected some impact on wild bees, they were surprised by the strength of the correlation between honeybee activity and wild bee decline.

In response to these findings, park authorities on Giannutri immediately took action and halted beekeeping practices on the island. "We are not against beekeeping," notes Leonardo Dapporto of the University of Florence, an advisor on the study, "but when honeybees are introduced into protected areas, especially those home to rare, endangered, or native wild bee species, park authorities should exercise caution and carry out ecological assessments."

The findings raise concerns about wild bee populations on larger islands and protected areas on the mainland, where honeybees may have been introduced without proper evaluation. Many native wild bee species are already struggling with Habitat loss, climate change, and pesticide exposure. However, competition from honeybees is a threat humans can actively address.

According to Victoria Wojcik, Science Director at the Pollinator Partnership Canada, conservationists should be mindful of ecosystem resources in managed landscapes and avoid overstocking, especially in areas designated as critical habitats for endangered invertebrate species. Dapporto and his team continue to monitor wild bee populations on Giannutri to determine if their behavior and numbers will change over time as honeybees are removed from the island.

The surge in nectar and pollen levels due to the absence of honeybees indicates a correlation between climate (nectar and pollen levels) and conservation (of wild bee populations).
While technology (honeybee hives) has facilitated beekeeping, the impact of climate change (introduction of honeybees into protected areas) on the health-and-wellness of native species intensifies as they compete for resources with the domesticated species.
The decline of native bee species like Anthophora dispar and Bombus terrestris emphasizes the critical role of environmental science in understanding the dynamics between different species in nature.
The reduction of honeybee activity on Giannutri, as well as restraint in managed landscapes, may aid in the preservation of the ecosystem and the prevention of further threats to the existence of various species.
Fitness-and-exercise for humans involves more than physical activities; it also encompasses taking an active role in identifying and addressing threats to the environment and wildlife populations, such as the impact of honeybee activity on native wild bee species.