The Earth’s climate change is starting to significantly affect the habitats in which bees can survive.

Creatures such as butterflies have been moving either to higher ground, or towards the poles in response to the increase in the Earth’s temperature.

Therefore scientists would expect bees to be moving further north from their natural habitats – Europe and North America – however, the only response to the climate warming has been a decrease in numbers in more southern areas.

How do we know?

A team of European, American and Canadian scientists have been studying the areas of the Earth habited by Bees. The researchers have found that in the southern parts of both Europe and North America the population of bees has declined.

The lead author, Prof Jeremy Kerr from the University of Ottawa said: ‘These species are at serious and immediate risk from rapid human induced climate change.’

The researchers believe that the rise in temperature is having a greater impact than pesticides or land changes.

Why won’t the bumblebees migrate north?

Scientists believe that bees are failing to migrate north, because of the lack of capacity to rapidly grow a new population.

Prof Kerr said, ‘This population growth rate limitation we suspect may be implicated as the key limitation on their capacity to track shifting climate conditions northward and into colder areas.’

What’s the problem with bees disappearing?

• Bumblebees have a large role in pollinating not only food crops, but wild plants and flowers as well.

• Around 1/3 of the food and drinks humans consume are pollinated by insects, therefore the insects are a significant part of the production.

Is there anything we can do?

Scientists believe that we can help to save the bumblebee with a process called assisted migration. If we move the insects to a cooler climate and help them colonise their new habitat, the bumblebee may have a better chance of survival.

However not everyone is convinced humans should intervene, as not every species of bumblebee has been affected.

Dr Nathalie Pettorelli, from the Zoological Society of London, said ‘There seem to be some interesting level of variation in bumblebee species’ response to changes in climatic conditions, something that isn’t discussed in the paper.’

‘This level of inter-specific variability might be important to consider when thinking about mitigation strategies, as one solution might not fit all.’