2 MILLION LOSSOMS
ILLION BLOSSOMS
Left: The rusty patched bumble bee used to be found along much of the Northeast and Great Lakes region, as shown by the red dots marking records from 1884–1999. More recent records from 2000–2012 show a severely reduced habitat that was shifted southwest of the Great Lakes region. Right: The rusty patched bumble bee Bombus affinis foraging on nectar. © Heather Holm
A critical habitat designation would open a second
pathway to preserve these charismatic bumble bees. If federal actions (such as large construction projects, military exercises, or dredging) are likely to harm rusty patched bumble bees (or any other endangered species), they must “consult” with U.S. Fish and Wildlife. During consultation, the agency stop the project if it jeopardizes the species’ survival. Without such a critical habitat designation, projects need only consider the narrow areas where rusty patched bumble bees currently persist. If Fish and Wildlife granted critical habitat status, “consultations” would need to evaluate whether the project will adversely impact the bees’ designated habitat, not just the bees themselves. Furthermore, critical habitat isn’t necessarily limited to areas where populations currently exist. It may include “suitable” habitat that populations can expand into.
The Xerces Society, summarized the lack of a critical habitat designation like this: “Ok great, so we’re going to protect where it exists now—not, maybe, the land that it needs in order to recover. We’re not going to create additional habitat or protect additional habitat for its
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population to grow in the future.” The Xerces Society is original petition to list the rusty patched bumble bee, and he sits on the committee working with U.S. Fish and Wildlife to develop the species’ recovery plan.
“If Fish and Wildlife granted critical habitat
status, “consultations” would need to evaluate whether the project will adversely impact the bees’ designated habitat, not just the bees themselves.”
loss of habitat isn’t the primary threat, but he said, “There’s quantity and quality of habitat.” The rusty patched bumble bee’s landscape hasn’t just been lost to development, it’s also been degraded through pesticide use, invasive plants, and other factors. Burd echoed that sentiment. “It needs its habitat to not be poisoned,” she said referring to what she called “ubiquitous” pesticide use. The agency’s critical habitat
ruling states, “The rusty patched bumble bee is a habitat generalist, to its habitat requirements.” But
how little we still understand about this bee. For example, as the agency acknowledged in their decision, scientists know little about where foundress queens overwinter. With queens rely on a single or just a few plant species for overwintering or nesting sites.
He also said that Fish and Wildlife is relying too much on
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