Why Are Bees So Important?

May 23, 2021

Why Are Bees So Important?

This week on 20th May 2021 we celebrated World Bee Day. Why are bees so important for us?

Bees are very important for our ecosystem and for agriculture / farming. The bees play a vital role in pollinating our flowers. What is Pollination? Pollination is the way in which the male part of a flower reaches the female part so that a new plant can grow.

Insects like bees are very important because they move the pollen from flower to flower. When the pollen reaches a flower, it finds the way to the pistils, which is the flower’s female part, where there are eggs. Once the pollen has reached the eggs, a new seed is created.

For this reason bees are very important for us. Some plants just need wind to be pollinated but other trees and flowers need bees and other flying insects.

I have read in an article by the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation, that approximately 80% of all flowering plants are specialised for pollination by animals, mostly insects (which includes bees). Pollination is crucial because many of our vegetables, fruits and the crops that feed our livestock rely on it to be fertilised, so without it, we could go hungry. Vegetables such as broccoli, asparagus and cucumber rely on the pollination of bees, as do apricots, strawberries, apples, tomatoes and almonds.

Decline Of The Bees

Bees are in decline as they face many threats. An increase in urban developments and invasive farming methods has meant that many of the areas bees once called home no longer exist.

Another threat to the bees is the use of toxic pesticides. Whilst pesticides are designed to kill pests, due to their intense toxicity they are having an adverse effect on other insects too, including bees.

Climate change and the extreme weather it often causes, is another contributing factor in the decline of bees. It disrupts bee nesting behaviour and alters the normal seasonal timings, meaning flowers may bloom earlier or later than expected. Whilst the planting of more trees is helping some of the effects of climate change, it is still a serious issue that could prove deadly for many of our bees.

Save The Bees

Luckily, it’s not too late to help save the bees from extinction. There are lots of things we can do to help protect these important creatures.

One of the easiest ways to help out bees is by planting lots of bee-friendly flowers in your garden or on your balcony. Sooner or later, the bees will come and make your flowers their new home.