Smart Talk: Researcher explains bee decline

What to look for on Smart Talk Tuesday, January 19, 2016:

The decline of the nation’s bee population was a great mystery for a long time — so much so that a presidential order was issued in June of 2014 to investigate the state of bees.

It’s important because much of our food supply depends on the pollination of bees.  

We’ve heard that honey bees are in danger, and it turns out they aren’t alone. In recent years, wild bees, another type of pollinating bee, have also faced a plight of population decline.

A study, co-published by a Franklin and Marshall professor, maps the decline of wild bee populations. The study, which is the largest of its kind, tracked the status, trend and impact of wild bees across the United States. How large was the population loss, and what could it mean for the future of the food supply chain, honeybees and human life?

Dr. Eric Lonsdorf, co-publisher of the wild bee study and Franklin and Marshall professor of ecology and Clair Kauffman, Orchard Manager at Kauffman’s Fruit Farm & Market in Lancaster appear on Wednesday’s Smart Talk to discuss why wild bees are important, why they’re disappearing and how farmers and homeowners can help combat the population decline and destruction of wild bee habitats.