Understanding the Importance and Challenges of Bees in North America

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 15:23:00 +0200

Bee populations in North America are facing significant challenges, but managed honey bees are not the main cause of native bee declines. While some worry that honey bees outcompete native species, research shows that direct competition is limited and often involves common native bees rather than at-risk species. Native bees and honey bees can coexist in many environments, with overlapping abundance frequently seen across agricultural, urban, grassland, and forested areas. The most pressing threats to pollinators come from habitat loss due to urbanization and agriculture, rising temperatures, extreme weather, pesticides, and disease. Pollinators are crucial for ecosystems and agriculture, supporting nearly 80% of flowering plants and contributing $34 billion annually to the U.S. economy. Honey bees play a vital role in crop pollination, especially in intensively farmed areas lacking wild bee habitats. To support pollinators, individuals can plant a variety of flowering plants, create p