Our busy bees working overtime as temperatures rise

Changing Climates series author, Dr Christa Pudmenzky, explores how the North Burnett region's May climate is warming. Plus, how climate change is harming our hives.

Experts observe that Australia's climate is warming.

Aussies are feeling the sting of climate change, as temperatures rise across the country.

And we're not immune in the North Burnett region, with Queensland now experiencing three and a half more unusually warm May days than 50 years ago.

After last week's World Bee Day, we're keen to keep the buzz going and understand how rising temperatures are affecting these bee-utiful creatures.

More than just honey

The humble bee is responsible for much more than the honey drizzled on our porridge and crumpets.

Bees are vital for the pollination of flowers and plants, the production of many of our favourite foods, and they help keep our ecosystems healthy.

And to do so, a typical colony of around 60,000 bees flies a combined distance about the same as travelling from Earth to the Moon every single day!

More than a third of Australia's crops, including our beloved avocados, mangoes, apples and pumpkins, depend on bees for pollination.

So, on a daily basis, bees are busy ensuring we have an abundance of fruits, seeds, nuts, and veggies making it from paddock to plate.

Bee pollination services don't just benefit our crops.

Bees have co-evolved with our fauna over thousands of years meaning many of the plants we find in our forests, parks and gardens prefer to be pollinated by specific bee species.

Without pollination, some of these plants are unable to reproduce at all.

This makes every one of our 2000 bee species essential for maintaining Australia's unique biodiversity.

By maintaining diversity amongst our plants, bees support other ecosystem functions such as helping to regulate our climate, purify air and water, and recycle nutrients.

Too hot in the hive

Bees are highly sensitive to temperature extremes.

While they typically like to keep their hives at a toasty 35C, prolonged periods of hot weather can lead to overheating and be detrimental to the health of the colony.

When the temperature in the hive rises, some of the worker bees – the collectors of nectar, honey producers, and carers of the queen – hit pause on their jobs and turn their attention to cooling down their home.

Forager bees collect water for the hive, whilst others stay behind and beat their wings, increasing air circulation to help evaporate the water and cool their hive.

If this process fails, the hive can suffer from heat stress.

Sometimes it can take stressed colonies months to recover, leaving weary-winged bees worn out and vulnerable to pests and illness.

In the worst case scenario, overheating may result in the death of bees.

With rising temperatures and extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, becoming more frequent, bees and the essential services their hives provide are at risk.

Bee the solution

Not everyone can be a beekeeper, but there are lots of ways we can help our beloved bees keep cool.

During warmer weather, bee hives can use up to four litres of water per day.

We can make water more accessible by leaving a shallow dish of water filled with pebbles out in the garden or on the balcony.

Small changes to the way we farm and grow our crops can also make a significant difference to the health of our buzzing friends in the face of climate change.

Limiting the use of harmful pesticides reduces the vulnerability of bees to poisoning, and makes sure they can safely pollinate our plants.

Diversifying crops and reducing land clearing can also support our beloved bees by keeping habitats connected and making sure there's an abundance of food on offer.

Ultimately, the best helping hand we can give our bees is reducing greenhouse gas emissions to curb warming and take the sting out of climate change.

How well do you know our bees?

Want more information on how your climate is changing? Check out the last article in this series.

Dr Christa Pudmenzky is a climate scientist at the University of Southern Queensland.

This column is part of a collaboration between Monash University and News Corp to deliver hyperlocal weather and climate information.