Future efforts to save bee populations may need to go beyond simply increasing the number of managed bees and planting more bee-friendly flowers. The excerpt highlights that these actions could inadvertently contribute to the decline in commercial pollinators by facilitating disease transmission among concentrated bee populations. Scott McArt emphasizes that even if diseases in managed bees are eradicated, pathogens from wild bees could reinfect them. Therefore, it is crucial for future strategies to focus on improving the health of both managed and wild bee populations and understanding their disease dynamics, rather than solely increasing their numbers and habitats.
SUMMARIZE:
One possible inference about future efforts to save the bees is that simply increasing the number of managed bees and planting more bee-friendly flowers may not be effective in combating the decline of bee populations due to the spread of pathogens. The excerpt points out that "keeping more bees and planting more flowers may be contributing to the steep losses in commercial pollinators" and suggests that the concentration of bees for pollination events creates opportunities for disease transmission. Furthermore, Scott McArt notes the potential for a two-way transmission of pathogens, stating, “Even if diseases in commercial bees are eliminated, new infections from the wild bee population... could spill back into managed populations.” This suggests that future efforts need to consider not only increasing bee habitats but also addressing the health and disease dynamics between managed and wild bee populations to ensure their survival.
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