Global biodiversity report warns pollinators are under threat

[JEB]

First assessment from intergovernmental body set up to track world's ecosystems suggests curbing pesticide use to save bees.

Natasha Gilbert
http://www.nature.com/news/global-biodiversity-report-warns-pollinators-are-under-threat-1.19456?WT.mc_id=TWT_NatureNews

An international science body tasked with tracking the ecological health of the planet has announced the findings of its first report. The review warns that the ongoing decline in the number of pollinating insects and animals threatens global crop production.

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But Dave Goulson, a bee researcher at the University of Sussex in Brighton, UK, says: “I would question whether any practical on-the-ground action to help pollinators will happen as a result of this document. We are in the midst of the sixth global mass-extinction event, and we sit around spending thousands of hours writing documents about biodiversity, but we do not take action to address the fundamental issues that are causing this ecological catastrophe.”
Pollinator warning

The report offers a sober assessment of the decline in populations of pollinating insects and animals, affected by factors including climate change, disease and pesticide use. The global production of crops that depend on pollinators is an industry worth up to US$577 billion annually, the report says.

“If we get further declines in wild and managed pollinators, it would be a serious risk to foods that rely on those pollinators, especially food of high nutritional quality such as seeds and fruits,” says Watson.

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Big trouble coming if we don't change our ways. Worth a sober read.

[SoLeftIAmRight]

1. sixth global mass-extinction event

and some think hillary is the answer

[Botany]

2. Things can be done

http://www.xerces.org/

[JEB]

3. Thanks for the link,

From the article....
“This extraordinary volunteer effort has recorded more monarchs in California this year than last year,” said Sarina Jepsen, endangered species program director. “However, monarch butterfly populations are far from recovered. We will still need a focused effort to address the many threats that monarchs face—from pesticide use and habitat loss to climate change and disease.”