BEES AND POLLINATORS - NATURE'S HEROES
Birds, bats, bees, butterflies, beetles, and other small mammals pollinate plants that sustain our ecosystems and produce our natural resources by helping plants reproduce. Pollinating animals travel from plant to plant carrying pollen on their bodies in a vital interaction that allows the transfer of genetic material critical to the reproductive system of most flowering plants
Out of the 115 leading agricultural crop plants worldwide, 75% or 87 of them depend on, or at least benefit from animal pollination (Klein et al. 2007). The remaining 28 crops rely on self-pollination or wind (Klein et al. 2007). This is a huge portion of important crops that require bees and other animal pollinators for their reproduction. Are you still wondering why honey bees are so important for growing and producing the food that you eat? Bartomeus et al. (2014) looked at how pollinators delivered benefits to different types of common crops that we consume. They found that if bees contribute to the production of fruits and vegetables, the quality improves and the yield will grow by up to 71% (Bartomeus et al. 2014). In other words, bees can help make crops not only look and taste better, but also help increase the amount that can be grown at a given time.
THE PROBLEMS
"Bees are reaching their tipping point because they are expected to perform in an increasingly inhospitable world" -Spivak et al, 2010
BEES of BRITAIN is dedicated to improving the ever-worsening situation of bees and other pollinators. Bees are now facing lethal doses of pesticides and insecticides, industrial agricultural methods, climate change along with many more issues. For example, insecticides can affect the psychology and development of bees. Feeding behavior and navigation can change when bees are exposed to insecticides. This has to change.
BEES AND POLLINATORS - NATURE'S HEROES
Birds, bats, bees, butterflies, beetles, and other small mammals pollinate plants that sustain our ecosystems and produce our natural resources by helping plants reproduce. Pollinating animals travel from plant to plant carrying pollen on their bodies in a vital interaction that allows the transfer of genetic material critical to the reproductive system of most flowering plants
Out of the 115 leading agricultural crop plants worldwide, 75% or 87 of them depend on, or at least benefit from animal pollination (Klein et al. 2007). The remaining 28 crops rely on self-pollination or wind (Klein et al. 2007). This is a huge portion of important crops that require bees and other animal pollinators for their reproduction. Are you still wondering why honey bees are so important for growing and producing the food that you eat? Bartomeus et al. (2014) looked at how pollinators delivered benefits to different types of common crops that we consume. They found that if bees contribute to the production of fruits and vegetables, the quality improves and the yield will grow by up to 71% (Bartomeus et al. 2014). In other words, bees can help make crops not only look and taste better, but also help increase the amount that can be grown at a given time.
THE PROBLEMS
"Bees are reaching their tipping point because they are expected to perform in an increasingly inhospitable world" -Spivak et al, 2010
BEES of BRITAIN is dedicated to improving the ever-worsening situation of bees and other pollinators. Bees are now facing lethal doses of pesticides and insecticides, industrial agricultural methods, climate change along with many more issues. For example, insecticides can affect the psychology and development of bees. Feeding behavior and navigation can change when bees are exposed to insecticides. This has to change.