<
https://theconversation.com/big-bees-have-the-most-to-lose-as-global-co-levels-rise-new-research-286559>
"Pollinators – including bees, flies, wasps, moths, butterflies and some
nectar-loving birds – are a cornerstone of our natural environment.
By helping plants reproduce, they keep our ecosystems healthy and ensure we can
grow vital food crops.
But climate change threatens the very survival of these hard-working animals.
Previous research has focused on how temperature changes affect bees, finding
that certain groups are more vulnerable to hotter temperatures.
But our new study shows rising carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels may also be putting
pollinators – such as bees and hoverflies – at risk.
Larger bees are the most vulnerable. We found populations of big bees –
including
Bombus asiaticus and
Xylocopa pubescens – were smaller and less
genetically diverse in areas with high CO₂. Small-bodied pollinators, however,
may actually do better in higher-CO₂ environments."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
