These benefits that people obtain from their environment are called ecosystem services, all of which fit into at least one of four categories: provisioning services those that provide physical benefits, eg. Pollination is sometimes considered a supporting service and sometimes a regulating service. Pollination not only results in the production of fruits, seeds, and subsequent plants that are produced from agriculture and for the purpose of feeding livestock, but maintains and increases diversity within and between native species of plants.
These plants are then also sometimes used by humans for medicinal purposes, building materials, fiber for clothing, and other uses.
As pollination increases the diversity within plant species, pollination potentially supports the emergence of new compounds that may be useful in food or medicine.
Plants, especially trees, also prevent erosion and flooding, maintain water quality, absorb and store carbon, release oxygen, and cycle nutrients, among the many other ecosystem services that they provide. A wide range of other animals also benefit from pollination. The reproduction of plants results in food and habitat for animal species, which in turn play their own roles in food webs and the environment at large. Additionally, humans benefit from this through activities such as recreation, hunting, and fishing.
Pollinators are crucial to maintaining indigenous flora and fauna. Many people value nature and its diversity for spiritual reasons, all of which is supported by pollinators. Many pollinating species also directly produce other products for human consumption, such as honey, wax, and propolis. Pollinator populations are declining rapidly on a global scale; this is often referred to as the global pollination crisis. Pollinators are essential for the production of a wide variety of food that humans consume.
Due to a growing human population, pollinators are now needed more than ever to support agriculture. The loss of pollinators can not only lead to a food shortage, but also a nutrition shortage, as many crops that contain a wide variety of nutrients that humans depend on require animal pollination.
Some of the threats include excessive use of pesticides; habitat destruction, including quarrying, clearing land for housing and logging; invasive species; and climate change — among many others. Furthermore, due to a lack of data, particularly in the Caribbean, identifying strategies to conserve pollinator species is difficult, if not impossible. Which Foods Depend on Bees? Effects of Bees on Fruit Types of Pollinators.
Next Page In her quest for the nectar found inside each flower's base, the bee brushes against the stigma and stamens, transferring pollen from one flower to the next. Privacy Notice Site Map Credits. But our existence would be more precarious and our diets would be dull, poorer and less nutritious. And not just for want of honey. Even some plants grown to feed to livestock for meat production, such as clover and alfalfa, depend at least partly on bee pollination.
Governments and food producers talk a lot about food security, yet without bees our food supply would be insecure. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization FAO identified encouraging pollinators - particularly bees - as one of the best sustainable ways to boost food security and support sustainable farming. All this natural crop pollination fills pockets as well as our bellies. Bees are a fantastic symbol of nature. That they are in trouble is a sign that our natural environment is not in the good shape it should be.
By keeping the cycle of life turning, bees boost the colour and beauty of our countryside. Many of them such as foxglove, clovers and vetches rely on bees.
Pollinators allow plants to fruit, set seed and breed. This in turn provides food and habitat for a range of other creatures. So the health of our natural ecosystems is fundamentally linked to the health of our bees and other pollinators. Maintaining our native flora also depends on healthy pollinator populations. This includes wild flowers such as poppies, cornflowers and bluebells, as well as trees and shrubs. Donate today and get everything you need to create a haven for bees and pollinating insects.
Sign up to our emails to keep up to date with our campaigns and how you can get involved, including whether you can help with a donation. Why do we need bees? Bees are vital to a healthy environment and healthy economy. They're also simply beautiful and fascinating little insects. But what makes them so special? Published: 25 Jul 4 min ute read.
The need for bees We need bees. Types of bee Not all bees are the same. Bees are important to a healthy environment Bees are a fantastic symbol of nature. Get your bee saver kit.
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