World Bee Day: Pollinators Being Pushed to the Precipice

Today marks World Bee Day, a time to recognize the crucial role bees play in our natural ecosystems. Bees, along with other pollinators such as butterflies, bats, and hummingbirds, are essential for the survival of many plant species and our food crops. However, the expansion and intensification of agriculture are driving a catastrophic decline in bee populations worldwide.

Pollinator Power

Pollinators are vital for the survival of ecosystems. Nearly 90% of the world's flowering plant species depend on animal pollination. This includes 75% of the world's food crops and 35% of global agricultural land. Without pollinators, our food variety and natural plant biodiversity would be drastically reduced. Yet, the very agricultural practices meant to feed our growing population are contributing to the decline of these essential creatures.

Bees at Risk

In the UK, wild bees and bumblebees are in serious decline, largely due to the continued use of harmful pesticides like thiamethoxam, a neonicotinoid used on sugar beets. Just a single teaspoon of neonicotinoid is enough to deliver a lethal dose to 1.25 billion bees. Despite being banned in France and across Europe since 2018, the UK government has allowed its use for "emergency" purposes for the fourth consecutive year. This decision has been heavily criticized by environmental groups like the Wildlife Trust, which describes it as a "deathblow" to bees and other insects.

As the UK's population grows, projected to reach 69.2 million by 2030, the demand for agricultural intensification continues to rise. This intensification, combined with increased pesticide use, poses further threats to insect populations and biodiversity.

Supporting Wild Bees and Pollinators

To better understand how we can support wild bees and other pollinators, we spoke with Clive Ellis, a member of Population Matters and an expert in woodland management. Clive works mainly in Eastern and Southeast England, managing and restoring woodlands, making him well-versed in forest ecology and conservation.

Q&A with Clive Ellis

Q1: What drew you to support Population Matters?
"For all my adult life, I have been concerned about the negative impact of human population growth on the natural environment. Population Matters addresses these issues in a straightforward, educational manner, providing resources and advocating for family planning. It's essential to discuss these topics openly to foster understanding and action."

Q2: How important is insect life in forest ecosystems?
"Insects are crucial for healthy, balanced woodland ecosystems. Above ground, pollinating insects fertilize flowers and shrubs, leading to seed and berry production. Below ground, beetles break down woody material, creating essential soil organic matter and maintaining soil structure for gas exchange. Healthy soils are vital for the health of trees and plants, and insects play a key role in this process."

Q3: What advice would you give to support No Mow May initiatives?
"Insects need healthy habitats and food. A succession of flowering plants provides a regular supply of nectar, while elements of untidiness, like undisturbed woody areas, offer overwintering habitats. Maintaining these conditions supports a healthy local ecosystem."

Taking Action

To support bees and other pollinators, individuals can:

Participate in No Mow May: Allow lawns to grow wild to provide habitats for bees.
Plant Pollinator-Friendly Flowers: Include a variety of nectar-rich plants in gardens to support pollinators throughout the season.
Reduce Pesticide Use: Minimize or eliminate the use of harmful pesticides in gardens and farms.
Create Habitats: Maintain natural habitats like undisturbed wood piles and flowering hedges.

For more ways to help and to learn about the importance of pollinators, visit the United Nations Bee Day website.

FAQs

Q: Why are pollinators important?
A: Pollinators are crucial for the reproduction of 90% of flowering plants and 75% of food crops, making them essential for biodiversity and food security.

Q: What is causing the decline in bee populations?
A: The decline is primarily due to the intensification of agriculture, habitat loss, and the use of harmful pesticides like neonicotinoids.

Q: How can I support pollinators?
A: Participate in initiatives like No Mow May, plant pollinator-friendly flowers, reduce pesticide use, and create natural habitats.

Q: What are neonicotinoids?
A: Neonicotinoids are a class of insecticides harmful to bees and other pollinators, banned in many countries but still used in some places for "emergency" purposes.

Q: What is No Mow May?
A: No Mow May is an initiative encouraging people to let their lawns grow wild during May to provide essential habitats for bees and other pollinators.

#WorldBeeDay #PollinatorConservation #BeeFriendly #SustainableAgriculture #SaveTheBees

이 블로그의 인기 게시물

Non-contact exposure to dinotefuran disrupts honey bee homing by altering MagR and Cry2 gene expression

Non-contact exposure to dinotefuran disrupts honey bee homing by altering MagR and Cry2 gene expression Dinotefuran is known to negatively affect honeybee ( Apis mellifera ) behavior, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. The magnetoreceptor ( MagR , which responds to magnetic fields) and cryptochrome ( Cry2 , which is sensitive to light) genes are considered to play important roles in honey bees’ homing and localization behaviors. Our study found that dinotefuran, even without direct contact, can act like a magnet, significantly altering MagR expression in honeybees. This non-contact exposure reduced the bees’ homing rate. In further experiments, we exposed foragers to light and magnetic fields, the MagR gene responded to magnetic fields only in the presence of light, with Cry 2 playing a key switching role in the magnetic field receptor mechanism ( MagR–Cry2 ). Yeast two-hybrid and BiFc assays confirmed an interactio...

“Global honey crisis”: Testing technology and local sourcing soars amid fraud and tampering concerns

“Global honey crisis”: Testing technology and local sourcing soars amid fraud and tampering concerns The World Beekeeping Awards will not grant a prize for honey next year due to the “inability” to thoroughly test honey for adulteration. The announcement comes amid the rise of honey fraud in the EU, where a 2023 investigation found that 46% of 147 honey samples tested were likely contaminated with low-cost plant syrups. Apimondia, the International Federation of Beekeepers’ Associations, organizes the event at its Congress, whose 49th edition will be held in Copenhagen, Denmark, in September 2025. The conference brings together beekeepers, scientists and other stakeholders. “We will celebrate honey in many ways at the Congress, but honey will no longer be a category, and thus, there will be no honey judging in the World Beekeeping Awards. The lessons learned from Canada 2019 and Chile 2023 were that adequate testing was impossible if we are to award winning honey at the Con...

Unveiling the Canopy's Secrets: New Bee Species Discovered in the Pacific

Unveiling the Canopy's Secrets: New Bee Species Discovered in the Pacific In an exciting development for environmentalists and beekeeping experts, researchers have discovered eight new species of masked bees in the Pacific Islands, shining a light on the rich biodiversity hidden within the forest canopy. This discovery underscores the critical role bees play in our ecosystems and the pressing need for conservation efforts to protect these vital pollinators. A New Frontier in Bee Research By exploring the forest canopy, scientists have opened a new frontier in bee research, revealing species that have adapted to life high above the ground. These discoveries are crucial for understanding the complex relationships between bees, flora, and the broader ecosystem. The new species of masked bees, characterized by their striking black bodies with yellow or white highlights, particularly on their faces, rely exclusively on the forest canopy for survival. The Importance of Bee Conservation...

New Report – Interlocked: Midwives and the Climate Crisis

New Report – Interlocked: Midwives and the Climate Crisis Earlier this year, midwives from 41 countries shared their experiences of working in communities affected by climate change through our survey, Midwives’ Experiences and Perspectives on Climate Change. Their voices shaped our new report, Interlocked: Midwives and the Climate Crisis , which highlights how midwives are already responding to the health impacts of climate disasters like floods, wildfires, and extreme heat—and why they must be included in climate action plans. What did we learn?Climate change is damaging community health: 75% of midwives reported that climate change is harming the communities they serve, with rising rates of preterm births, food insecurity, and restricted access to care during disasters like floods. Midwives are critical first responders: Midwives are often the first and only healthcare providers on the ground in crises, delivering care during wildfires, floods, and extreme heat. Midwives face signi...

Bee attack claims life of newspaper distributor

Bee attack claims life of newspaper distributor Newspaper distributor Pushparaja Shetty (45), who sustained severe injuries in a bee attack, succumbed to his injuries on Thursday at a hospital in Mangaluru. Pushparaja was attacked by a swarm of bees on Wednesday morning while walking at Kenjaru Taangadi under Bajpe town panchayat limits. He was immediately admitted to a hospital for treatment but could not survive the ordeal. Fondly known as ‘Boggu’ in the Porkodi area, Pushparaja was well-known for his dedication to delivering newspapers on foot to every household. He was admired for his generosity, as he often distributed sweets to schoolchildren on Independence Day using his own earnings and contributed part of his income to the betterment of society. Pushparaja was unmarried and is survived by three brothers and one sister.

Start the New Year Humming Like a Bee

Start the New Year Humming Like a Bee There are lots of opportunities to be as busy as a bee during these winter holidays. As we hustle toward the dawn of the New Year, it can be hard to notice that the natural world is actually suggesting something different for us right now. We’re past the solstice, but the winter still stretches ahead, the days are still short and the nights long. We’re being invited into a quieter, more inner-focused time. The ancient yogis were all about this inner focus. In India, for example, the Upanishads, the Sanskrit writings that accompanied the development of Hinduism — and alongside it, yoga — beginning around 800 B.C.E., went deeper than earlier texts had into philosophy and questions of being. With the goals of increased inner awareness and higher consciousness, yoga was at that time not yet as focused on the body or on asanas, as it now can tend to be. But the yogis did develop many practices to try to open the way to those goals. They discovered...

The largest “killer hornets” in the world were exterminated in the US

The largest “killer hornets” in the world were exterminated in the US The US informed that it had exterminated the worldʼs largest hornets, nicknamed "killer hornets" — they are capable of occupying a hive of honey bees in just 90 minutes, decapitating all its inhabitants and feeding their offspring to their own. This was reported by the Department of Agriculture in Washington. The hornets, which can reach five centimeters in length, were previously called Asian giant hornets, but in 2019 they were also spotted in Washington state near the Canadian border. In China, these insects killed 42 people and seriously injured 1,675. A dead northern giant hornet (below) next to a native bald hornet. According to experts, the hornets could have entered North America in plant pots or shipping containers. The hornet can sting through most beekeeper suits because it produces nearly seven times more venom than a honeybee and stings multiple times. Thatʼs why the Washington Departme...

From Classroom to Hive: Jeff Tech students experience sweet journey of honey making

From Classroom to Hive: Jeff Tech students experience sweet journey of honey making The Courier Express has partnered with digital media arts students at Jeff Tech to highlight accomplishments and updates from the school. q q q REYNOLDSVILLE — The new “Intro to Agriculture” class, taught by advanced manufacturing instructor Perry Neal, has recently been buzzing throughout the halls of Jeff Tech. The course has been receiving positive feedback from both students and teachers. “It’s a great class. I love it,” said Jeff Tech student Jacob DeFoor. Student Kyle Lasher said, “I’m really considering getting bees of my own.” Intro to Agriculture is an 18-week course that starts with students learning anything and everything bees. They gather together to learn the process and safety procedures of making honey from scratch with locally-sourced honey bees. In class, students research pollination, foods that contain honey, where to purchase hive equipment, types of bees, etc., according to N...

The Unexpected Surge: America's Honeybees Buzz Back to Record Numbers

The Unexpected Surge: America's Honeybees Buzz Back to Record Numbers In an age where environmental narratives often lean towards loss and decline, the story of the American honeybee offers a glimmer of hope and a puzzle to solve. Recent data from the Census of Agriculture reveals an astonishing rebound in the honeybee population, now soaring to an all-time high of 3.8 million colonies. This revelation comes as a surprise against the backdrop of two decades marked by fears of colony collapse and the potential ramifications for ecosystems and agriculture. The surge in bee populations brings to light a series of questions and insights into the intertwined worlds of agriculture, conservation, and legislation. Central to this narrative is the state of Texas, where legislative changes have catalyzed a beekeeping boom by offering agricultural tax breaks to landowners cultivating honeybees. This policy shift, coupled with the entrepreneurial spirit of Texans and the essential role of bees...

Researchers use advanced robotics to study honeybee behaviour

Researchers use advanced robotics to study honeybee behaviour Researchers from our top-rated Computer Science department have made significant advances in understanding honeybee behaviour through the use of innovative robotic technology. The study, published in the cover page of prestigious journal - Science Robotics, offers unprecedented insights into the daily activities of honeybee colonies, particularly focusing on the queen bee and her interactions with worker bees. Robotic system provides continuous monitoring The research team, led by Professor Farshad Arvin, developed a sophisticated robotic system capable of continuous, long-term observation of bee hives. This system employs two high-resolution cameras that work autonomously, tracking the queen bee's movements and mapping the contents of the honeycomb. This technology allows the researchers to collect data on bee behaviour 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Researchers say this level of continuous monitoring was previous...

Small actions make a big difference engilsh dkbee.com

이 블로그 검색