Read the following passage and answer the question below. Honeybees play a vital role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems through pollination. As they travel from flower to flower collecting nectar, grains of pollen stick to their bodies and are transferred to other flowers, enabling plants to reproduce. It is estimated that about one-third of the food humans eat depends on pollinators like bees. In recent decades, bee populations have been declining due to pesticide use, habitat loss, and disease, raising concerns among scientists and farmers alike. Many countries have introduced programs to protect bee colonies, including banning certain harmful pesticides and planting bee-friendly flowers along roadsides. Beekeepers are also working to breed hardier bee strains that can better resist disease. Protecting bees is not simply about saving one species; it is about preserving the food supply chains that depend on their pollination work. Question: Which of the following is mentioned in the passage as a cause of declining bee populations?
- A. Migration patterns
- B. Excessive rainfall
- C. Overproduction of honey
- D. Pesticide use ✓
Correct answer
D. Pesticide use
Explanation
The passage lists pesticide use, habitat loss, and disease as causes of declining bee populations.