THE changing British landscape could be contributing to the decline in bee populations, according to researchers at Lancaster University.

Dr Philip Donkersley of the university led the research which saw analysis carried out at 35 hives at 20 sites in the North West, including one at Brigsteer.

The results found that honeybees living near areas of extensive farmland were surviving on a lower protein diet than those in hives near natural grasslands and woodlands.

The research shows that bees consuming less protein early in life may be left vulnerable to other factors such as pesticides, disease or harsh winters.

Bees depend on pollen and nectar for their food which they acquire from a range of flower species, and poorer quality diets could, in part, explain why honeybee populations are in decline.

Whilst nectar is converted to honey in the hive, pollen is converted to “beebread”, which is consumed by the growing young brood.

To conduct their study, the researchers regularly analysed the composition of ‘beebread’ in different hives – testing its nutritional value throughout the summers of 2012-13.

By combining these data with extensive land-use data generated by the Countryside Survey 2007, they found that beebread protein content was lower in areas where arable and horticultural farmland surrounded the hives.

But beebread found in hives near natural grasslands and broad-leaf woodlands had higher protein levels.

Dr Donkersley said: “This study shows a clear link between landscape and the nutritional ecology of insects.

“We don’t suggest that we need to get rid of farming to solve this problem – rather that by modifying the food sources available to bees in agricultural areas we could improve their diet and their chances of survival, which could increase their capacity to pollinate crops.

“Honeybees have different nutritional requirements at different stages of their lives, with larvae primarily requiring protein.

“We already know from previous studies that larvae with lower dietary protein intake may not live as long and may have reduced immune function."