Global honey bee colonies have increased significantly despite rising winter mortality rates
In short: A review of global databases and literature found that the number of managed Western honey bee colonies has grown by 85% since 1961, largely driven by trends in Asia. However, this expansion occurs alongside high reported rates of colony death during winter, particularly in North America and Europe.
Researchers analyzed publicly accessible databases and published literature to assess the status of managed pollinators. While the study highlights the massive growth in honey bee populations, it also notes high average overwinter mortality rates of 26% in North America and 16% in Europe since 2007. The review is limited to existing published data and databases.
Why it matters: While honey bee populations are expanding globally, high winter death rates in certain regions present a challenge to stability.
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Sources
- Source: Research: Osterman et al. (2021). Global trends in the number and diversity of managed pollinator species. Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment. · cc-by
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