Environment Alert: Climate extremes are devastating bumblebee populations across North America, Europe, researchers find

Bumblebee populations in North America and Europe have plummeted amid rising temperatures and heat extremes, according to new research. A study in Science finds a 46 percent decline in areas inhabited by bees in North America and a 17 percent decline in Europe, a pattern it asserts is linked to increasingly severe heat and other climate extremes. Bumblebees are key pollinators, but their large bodies and preference for cooler climates make them vulnerable to extreme heat.

Democracy Dies in Darkness     Environment Alert Feb 6, 2:03 PM     Climate extremes are devastating bumblebee populations across North America, Europe, researchers find Bumblebee populations in North America and Europe have plummeted amid rising temperatures and heat extremes, according to new research. A study in Science finds a 46 percent decline in areas inhabited by bees in North America and a 17 percent decline in Europe, a pattern it asserts is linked to increasingly severe heat and other climate extremes. Bumblebees are key pollinators, but their large bodies and preference for cooler climates make them vulnerable to extreme heat. Read more » Advertisement You received this email because you signed up for news alerts from The Washington Post. Manage my newsletters and alerts | Unsubscribe Privacy Policy | Help ©2020 The Washington Post, 1301 K St NW, Washington DC 20071