APES- Honeybee Colonies virtual LAB (1)

Honeybee Colonies in the United States and VA Year US Virginia 2015 2660000 6000 2014 2740000 6000 2013 2640000 5000 2012 2539000 4000 2011 2491000 4000 2010 2684000 5000 2009 2498000 6000 2008 2301000 6000 2007 2443000 6000 2006 2392000 8000 2005 2413000 8000 2004 2556000 7000 2003 2599000 6000 2002 2574000 7000 2001 2506000 9000 2000 2620000 7000 1999 2688000 7000 1998 2633000 8000 1997 2631000 8000 1996 2564000 7000 1995 2648000 9000 1994 2770000 11000 1993 2876000 10000 1992 3030000 13000 1991 3181000 16000 1990 3210000 16000 This table shows the number of honeybee colonies kept for honey production reported to the National Ag Statistics Service in the US and in Virginia between 1987 and 2015. Using a spreadsheet (Excel or Google Sheets), create a line graph, and graph the numbers of bee colonies from 1990-2015 in the US and Virginia. Then answer the following questions and submit both on Canvas. Source: Honey, February, 2007, Agricultural Statistics Board,NASS, USDA, http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/nass/Hone//2010s/2014/Hone-03-21-2014.pdf Analysis questions

1. Based on this table, the number of bee colonies in the US was largest in what year? in Virginia? The largest number of honeybee colonies in the US was in 1990. The largest in virginia was in 1990/1991 2. Using the years of the largest colonies from the US and Virginia, compute the percentage of decline from 1990 to 2015. The US experienced 17.1% decrease and virginia experienced a 62.5% decline. 3. Compare, as a percent, the total number of colonies in Virginia to those in the US for 2015. In 2015 there was a negative 44,233% difference between virginia and the US colonies. 4. How did the decline in bee colonies in Virginia between 1990 and 2015 compare with the decline in the US? Was there a steady decline for both groups? There was a larger decline in the virginia colonies than the US colonies. Virginia had a very steady decline while the US experienced a 2010 recovery. 5. What are some possible reasons for your findings? In 2010 there was a US effort to save the honeybee colonies. Read the article The Trouble with Beekeeping in the Anthropocene and answer the following questions. 1. How much of the U.S. honeybee colonies have died or disappeared from this past winter? About one third of the US honeybees. 2. What was the reason behind this disappearance? Colony Collapse disorder 3. How much do bees add to our crop value? Bee’s add $15 billion crop value. 4. What are the three reasons that we believe CCD is occurring? Pesticides, biological threats and lack of nutrition. 5. Why were neonicotinoid pesticides developed? Neonicotinoid pesticides are considered safer for humans and other mammals. 6. How are the beekeepers solving the dilemma? Beekeepers are taking new queens and separating their hives and also using supplemental feed. 7. Are honeybees natural in North America? Why or why not? Honeybees in North America are not natural because they were imported from