Li, Cynthia (2019). Understanding, conservation and protection of precious natural resources -- bees. In: "Evolutionary Progress in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM)", Wang, Lawrence K. and Tsao, Hung-ping (editors). Volume 1, Number 10, October 2019; 65 pages. Lenox Institute Press, Newtonville, NY, 12128-0405, USA. No. STEAM-VOL1-NUM10-OCT2019; ISBN 978-0-9890870-3-2. ------------ This publication concerns the role of bees in relation to our agriculture and

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... y. Bees participate in the reproductive process of most flowering plants. The bees' pollination services increase flowering crop yields, improve nutritional quality. Huge numbers of their bees were dying in recent years, and apiculture is closely wedded to agriculture. Honey bees suffer from a variety of maladies attributed to pesticides, climate change, parasites, and disease, all of which contribute to increased bee mortality and catastrophic hive death such as Colony Collapse Disorder. A number of these issues appear to affect wild pollinators as well. This chapter describes a number of major stressors that lead to bee mortality and offers suggestions to improve bee and ultimately general pollinator survival. Recommended actions for beekeepers include adoption of honey bee strains that are bred for specific climates and survival traits as well as maintaining diverse forage around the apiary. Farmers are recommended to maintain areas of wild plants for diverse foraging sources, where a healthy bee diet also aids in crop pollination. In order to protect food availability, control prices, and support agricultural sustainability, governments can review ongoing research concerning known bee and pollinator stressors and implement legislation and guidelines to control human-created stressors such as pesticides while encouraging pollinator-friendly land management.