Much of British Columbia (B.C.) encountered a drier-than-average spring this year, a condition that experts and honey producers warn can negatively impact pollinators. Elaine Sedgman, a bee enthusiast and gardener from Kamloops, has observed a decrease in native bee activity around her flowers. As a volunteer with the Native Bee Society of B.C., she meticulously documents sightings of native bee species for research purposes.
Wild bee populations across North America are dwindling, with climate-related events like droughts posing a significant threat due to the strain they put on the plants that pollinators depend on. Of the approximately 500 bee species in B.C., many are facing challenges as the province has faced consecutive years of droughts and heat waves, notably the 2021 heat dome.
Recent data from the B.C. Drought Information Portal shows that by the end of June, 27% of the province was experiencing some level of drought, an improvement from the 40% reported in May. Caleb Bryan, a behavioral ecologist, points out that bees in B.C. are particularly susceptible to droughts as most of them nest in the ground. Drought conditions harden the soil, making nest excavation and maintenance arduous for the bees, ultimately impacting their populations.
Additionally, drought-stressed plants produce less nectar with altered sugar ratios, affecting the quantity and quality of food for bees. Changes in flower signals under water stress further hinder bees, as the altered colors and scents make flowers harder to locate and less appealing. Emily Huxter, a bee farmer from the North Okanagan, notes that variations in nectar quality or quantity due to plant stress often lead to reduced honey production.
Huxter’s Wild Antho bee farm anticipates assessing the impact of this spring’s drought on honey production once the honey flow begins in a few weeks. To support bee populations, Bryan recommends planting a variety of native plant species that bloom throughout the seasons to ensure an adequate food supply for both honey bees and native bees.
