Efforts to reverse declines in bees

Volunteers are being recruited in UK to help conduct an annual count of bees as part of efforts to reverse declines in the insects.

The scheme by the Co-operative, which it has dubbed “market beesearch”, will see some of its members taught to find and identify different species, such as the white-tailed bumblebee which can often be found nesting under garden sheds.

The trained Co-operative members will then contribute to BeeWalk, a national bee monitoring scheme run by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.

Paul Monaghan, head of social goals at the Co-operative, said: “It is really important that we understand how pollinator populations change over time.

“Identifying the number of bees in any one area allows us to see the impact of habitat loss and the effectiveness of taking action such as planting wild flowers. “Our members want to be part of the campaign to reverse pollinator decline.”

Pollinators including bees contribute hundreds of million of pounds a year to the economy through pollinating crops such as fruit and vegetables.

But bees, moths and butterflies have all seen numbers decline in recent years. Ben Darvill, chief executive officers of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, said: “Bumblebees have declined dramatically since World War II, and two species have already become extinct.

“It’s very important that we monitor our bee populations so that we can see if the situation is getting worse.” The contribution of the Co-operative to the BeeWalk monitoring scheme is part of its Plan Bee, which includes action on its farms, in the countryside, on pesticides and with its members and customers.