A new study published in Sustainable Environment has found that tens of millions of bees are likely being killed each day by vehicles in the western United States. This is the first time that the impact of cars on the widespread loss of bees has been documented. Bees are essential pollinators for wild plants and a third of the world’s crops, making their decline a significant concern. Roads create both space for flowering plants to thrive and bring insects closer to vehicles, making them a double-edged sword for pollinators.
Previous studies have focused on the ongoing “insect apocalypse” by counting dead insects along roadsides. However, these studies often overlook smaller bee species that are more prevalent in arid, open regions. The team of researchers attached sticky paper to vehicle bumpers and drove stretches of highway, paved roads, and unpaved roads in Utah. They identified struck bees down to the genus level and found that every trip resulted in at least one bee fatality, with representatives of 14 genera being identified. The team concluded that millions of bees are likely being killed each day in the region due to vehicle collisions.
Researchers estimated that one car driving between Salt Lake City and Moab could kill 50 to 175 bees, with the daily traffic on that route resulting in several million fatalities. When scaled to the total daily traffic in Utah and surrounding states, the total estimate of bees killed each day in the region is likely in the tens of millions. These calculations, while based on simplified assumptions, highlight the significant impact of vehicle collisions on bee populations. Mitigating these deaths is crucial, and one possible solution is to plant healthy habitat along the sides of roads without vegetation in the median, as research has shown that bees typically avoid crossing roads in the absence of vegetation.
The study underscores the importance of addressing the impact of vehicles on pollinators, particularly bees, which play a vital role in ecosystems and agriculture. The findings highlight the need to consider the unintended consequences of human activities on wildlife populations and the environment. By implementing solutions such as planting habitat along roadsides and raising awareness about the impact of vehicle collisions on bees, we can work towards reducing the number of bee fatalities and safeguarding these essential pollinators. Further research and conservation efforts are needed to protect bee populations and ensure their continued survival in the face of increasing threats.
