by Berly McCoy
Everyone wants to save the bees. But as populations decline every year, we may be saving them to death.
Human efforts to breed more of these insects in artificial beehives and plant more flowers may seem the obvious way to stave off heavy losses.
New research shows the answer is not that clear cut, because viruses may be spilling over from commercial honeybee colonies into wild bee populations, according to a study from the University of Vermont published Wednesday in PLOS One.
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Question
Use the “Are commercial honeybees making wild bees sick?” article to answer the question.
How does the section “Why it matters” refine the author’s claim that people are saving bees “to death”?
(1 point)
Responses
by explaining that habitat destruction is not a factor in bee population decline, despite the general assumption that it is
by explaining that habitat destruction is not a factor in bee population decline, despite the general assumption that it is
by specifying that commercial bees and bee-friendly flowers are likely contributing to, rather than fixing, bee population decline
by specifying that commercial bees and bee-friendly flowers are likely contributing to, rather than fixing, bee population decline
by describing how viruses in wild bee populations spread to commercial bees, despite prior assumptions that this was impossible
by describing how viruses in wild bee populations spread to commercial bees, despite prior assumptions that this was impossible
by outlining the reasons why planting flowers near commercial bee populations is harming, rather than helping, bees
by outlining the reasons why planting flowers near commercial bee populations is harming, rather than helping, bees
1 answer
The correct response is:
by specifying that commercial bees and bee-friendly flowers are likely contributing to, rather than fixing, bee population decline.
This answer aligns with the author's claim that efforts to save bees may inadvertently worsen their situation, as the research indicates that commercial honeybee colonies may spill viruses into wild bee populations, challenging the assumption that such interventions are wholly beneficial.
