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David Benton

Prof. Brandi Fink

ENGL-1010-605

15 March 2021

Organic Agriculture vs. Conventional Agriculture and Their Impact on Bee Populations

The importance of bees and their impact on our environment has been a hot topic for

decades. It is no secret that bees play a vital role in our survival and our agricultural endeavors.

However, we cannot focus solely on the impact that bees have on our lives. We must also look at

the environmental impacts that affect bee populations. The success or failure of bee populations

can be influenced by soil quality, chemical contamination, and climate change. This is true for

both organic agriculture and conventional agriculture.

Bee populations rely on many aspects to be successful. One aspect that can be considered

is soil health. Organic agriculture uses fewer toxins which contributes to a healthier soil bed.

Contrary to the organic method, conventional agriculture introduces toxins into the soil bed.

“Soil health can influence the production of flowers, pollen, and nectar, and it plays a role in

pollinator visitation patterns.” (LeaseHoney, 2021) One organic method to maintain good soil

health is composting, in particular, the use of varying species of worms to aid in the breaking

down of organic matter, such as fruits and vegetables. This method is called vermicomposting,

which “improves soil quality by adding nutrients and microorganisms.” (LeaseHoney, 2021) The

pesticides used in conventional methods, however, are harmful and/or lethal to the very

microorganisms that are preexisting in the soil or introduced by composting. Furthermore,

pollinator visitation patterns can be disrupted by plants that have been treated with pesticides.
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Disruptions in visitation patterns are not the only way pesticides can be harmful.

Conventional agriculture often employs the use of neonicotinoids. Studies have shown that

neonicotinoids have contributed to Colony Collapse Disorder. (Whitney, 2015) Colony Collapse

Disorder is “when the majority of worker bees disappear, leaving behind the rest of the hive.”

(Whitney, 2015) These classes of pesticides are associated with nicotine, which can cause

neurological damage and/or death to bee colonies. Neonicotinoids were originally thought to

have been safer for pollinators, but studies now show that they may play a major role in Colony

Collapse Disorder.

Organic agriculture combats this problem by using non-chemical methods to control

pests. “The National Wildlife Federation recommends planting native, pollen-producing flowers

and avoiding pesticides altogether.” (Galluccimar, 2017) Some other methods include, but are

not limited to, introducing naturally predatory insects and simply weeding. With the introduction

of predatory insects such as praying mantises and ladybugs, crops are easily defended against

unwanted pests without the need for harmful chemicals. (Gibson, n.d.) Hand-pulling of weeds is

another simple method used to control unwanted pests. One benefit of this method is the lack of

chemicals that would otherwise be necessary for the removal of pests and invasive grasses. By

simply keeping fields clean with hand-removal of weeds, organic methods can control insects

such as ants, beetles, and aphids, without causing undue harm to the local bee population.

“Pollinators… are undeniably in crisis and facing big changes in climate.” (Whitney,

2015) Climate change is evident all around us. It is seen in changing weather patterns, increased

wildfires, and rising temperatures. With regards to rising temperatures caused by climate change,

“the biggest decline of bees was in areas where temperatures spiked well beyond the historical

range… climate change could increase the risk of extinction for bees, which are already
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threatened by pesticides.” (Pierre-Louis, Popovich, 2020) Chemicals are already being used in

conventional agriculture, which further exacerbates the decline in bee populations when we

factor in climate change on top of that. Although organic agriculture is often free of the use of

chemicals, they are in no way immune to climate change.

Soil health and chemical contamination have shown to negatively affect bee populations

in conventional agriculture, while organic agriculture has shown to positively affect bee

populations. On the subject of climate change, both organic agriculture and conventional

agriculture have been negatively impacted. This also affects bee populations. While it is

important to study both positive and negative aspects and influences on bee populations and their

impacts on the environment, perhaps more focus should be placed on healthier agricultural

practices that are safe for both bee populations and the environment. Additionally, more studies

should be implemented to determine how climate change is affecting bee populations.

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Works Cited

Gallucci, Maria. “Not Everyone's Thrilled Cheerios Gave Away 1.5 Billion Wildflower Seeds to

Save the Bees.” Mashable, Mashable, 19 Mar. 2017, [Link]/2017/03/19/cheerios-

bee-campaign-controversy/.

Pierre-Louis, Kendra, and Nadja Popovich. “Climate Change: It's a Buzzkill for Bumblebees,

Study Finds.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 6 Feb. 2020,

[Link]/interactive/2020/02/06/climate/bumblebees-extreme-heat-

[Link]#:~:text=The%20biggest%20declines%20were%20in,pesticide%20use

%20and%20habitat%20loss.

Timms, Kae, et al. “Bee Friendly Natural Pesticides That Won't Harm Pollinators.” Gardening

Channel, 4 Mar. 2019, [Link]/bee-friendly-garden-pest-control/.

Unknown. “How Soil Health Affects Bees.” LeaseHoney, 13 Dec. 2020,

[Link]

%20can%20influence%20the,role%20in%20pollinator%20visitation

%20patterns.&text=The%20use%20of%20chemicals%20such,is%20detrimental%20to

%20these%20relationships.

Whitney, Kaitlin Stack. “6 Misconceptions About Saving the BeesKaitli.” American Scientist, 30

Apr. 2018, [Link]/blog/macroscope/6-misconceptions-about-saving-

the-bees.