Quote:
> Since TPTB (the powers that be) can't seem to figure out the problem (or solution) it seems to be up to us. I could mutter about 'deriliction of duty' but whats the point
Well, you did mutter about dereliction, so I feel compelled to respond. The folks at Penn State are working hard on the multitude of problems, but as they say: there is no silver bullet. Certainly not ascorbic acid, though no one doubts that nutrition is a very important part of health. But what have they been doing with all the money? A lot, I'd say. But if they haven't gotten to the bottom of it, it's not for lack of effort.
The Pollinator Crisis
• Multiple factors:
– Pathogens
– Parasites
– Pesticides
– Management practices
– Landscape ecology (habitat fragmentation, climate change, monocropping)
• No “silver bullet” solution
Penn State’s Role
• Multiple research, teaching and extension faculty focused on pollinators
• PA beekeeper David Hackenberg contacted Penn State and PA Dept of Ag in winter 2006/7; first documented case of CCD
• First outcome was a 2007 Science paper describing association of IAPV with CCD (Cox-Foster, vanEngelsdorp)
• Followed by collaborative effort to study phenomenon and inform public, growers, beekeepers, and policy makers
• In Fall 2009, formally established the Center for Pollinator Research
Center for Pollinator Research
• Mission: developing and implementing integrative, multidisciplinary approaches to improving pollinator health, conservation, and management for ecosystems services through research, education, outreach and policy.
• Funding: 2008-2010, > $8 million in funds
– Government: NSF, NSF-BREAD, USDA-AFRI, USDA-ARS, USDAAPHIS, NE-SARE, US Agency for International Development, US-Israel Binational Science Foundation, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
– Non-profit groups: Project Apis M and the Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees
– Industry-supported groups: the National Honey Board and the California Almond Board
– Corporate and private: Häagen Dazs, the O’Keeffe Foundation, Wyman's of Maine, Anthropologie/Urban Outfitters, Whole Foods, Dutch Gold Honey, beekeeper groups and numerous private donors.
• Local level
– Together with PA Master Gardeners program develop info packets and Pollinator Garden Certification Program
– Developed pollinator gardens at the Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center and the Arboretum at Penn State
– Native bee survey and ID guide for Pennsylvania
• National level
– advised the EPA on standards for pesticide applications
– served as science advisors to the National Honey Bee Advisory Board
– steering committees of the national CCD Task Force and the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign.
– Testified before the United States Congress on CCD in honey bees
• International level:
– Numerous collaborations worldwide (Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Italy, Israel, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom)
– Recently funded NSF-BREAD grant
• Gates and NSF joint program to aid agriculture in developing nations
• One of 15 grants funded nationwide
• Partnership with the International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology in Nairobi, Kenya
• Characterize and mitigate the impact of Varroa introduction on honey bee populations
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