Bumble Bee Population Drops: Unsettled Decade Endangers Insects

Climate change's effect has been a threat to several ecosystems. Bumble bee population continues to dwindle as a direct result of this change.

In an annual wildlife report by the National Trust study reveals that for the past decade mild winters and bad summers have created bad conditions for small plants in the UK.

Grass growth has been on the rise. On the other hand, wild flower proliferation has been diminished. While this is good for livestock farmers, it is disastrous to small insects.

According to Matthew Oates, nature and wildlife specialist for the Trust, many species are struggling in the face of more intensive farming practices and climate change.

In Trust's Somerset estate of Lytes Cary, it is believed that bumble bee population has dropped as much as 85 percent on the previous year. Wild flowers were outgrown by grasses have been the cause of this event as reported by the BBC.

In the past decade, scientists have observed that the summers are becoming wetter and the winters are becoming milder. This wetter summer may be good for crop and livestock farmers as more hay means good livestock feeds and better fruit and vegetable growth.

The slump on insect population could have a knock-on-effect on birds and bats that survive on a diet of these small insects and could have a greater impact on the ecosystem as a result according to a report from the Telegraph.

At Ballard Down on Dorset Isle of Purbeck, population of orange tip and green Hairstreak butterflies were below average as a result of a cold spring season.

This change in climate also affected sycamore trees Snowdonia as they began shedding their leaves in late July. The mildly wet weather also brought about the proliferation of slugs which are devastating to gardeners.

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