Honey bees can serve as sentinels for environmental health

Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are widely known as essential pollinators, but researchers using a “One Health” approach have also identified them as biological sentinels of environmental health. Honey bees continuously interact with their surrounding environment through the collection of nectar, pollen and water and can therefore be exposed to contaminants present in agricultural and natural ecosystems. Their health may consequently provide valuable information about environmental pressures affecting biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.

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