Why bees are so important and what we can do to prevent them from disappearing

The world’s bee population is at risk of extinction. Excessive and inappropriate use of pesticides in crops, the threat of parasites that reproduce in colonies, climate change and human intervention are factors that have dangerously reduced the number of these important insects. Scientists already warn that if the problem continues, it could even mean the end of humanity.

O awesome.club conducted some research on the importance of bees in human life and shares measures that can help prevent their disappearance.

Bees are the most important pollinators in food cultivation. It is estimated that a third of the food we consume depends on pollination, whether by insects, bats or birds. And bees are the main actors in this process. A multitude of fruits, vegetables, grains and other vegetables are pollinated by them. For example, avocados, soybeans, sesame, cucumbers, citrus fruits, peaches, kiwis, cherries, asparagus, broccoli, celery, squash, and cantaloupe, just to name a few.

In addition to the fruits, vegetables and other vegetables mentioned, bees are also responsible for pollinating crops such as coffee and cotton. They also play a key role in plant reproduction. forages, such as alfalfa, used to feed livestock. Therefore, the work of these insects is important to provide food that is used to supply animals that are the basis of our diet.

Bee pollination maintains the genetic diversity of plants that reproduce through flowers. This means that any ecosystem where bees are present works naturally without human interference. Of course, this favors the production of flowers, fruits and vegetables, but it also preserves these plant species.

The British Beekeepers Association, British Beekeepers, estimates that the work of bees generates, directly or indirectly, a total of resources equivalent to 185 million dollars a year in England alone. Many commercial food and flower crops depend on them. And, even if a culture is not directly pollinated by these insects, it ends up benefiting indirectly from their work by being in an environment where there is biodiversity. In Mexico, UNAM, National Autonomous University of Mexicoestimates that pollination contributes more than $2 billion to the value of production in that country alone.

Worker bees are organized into a strict society and each is distinguished by the role it plays in the colony. These roles are as follows:

Cleaner bees: in charge of cleaning the hive. Nurses: Produce royal jelly. Cerieiras: develop glands that build the combs. Storers: receive food and place it in the hive. Guardians: take care of the community so that bees from other hives or wasps do not enter. Fans: generate air current to dry the nectar.

According to data from the NGO Ecocolmena España, the honeybee (Apis Mellifera) can form colonies of 15,000 to 80,000 members. Within these colonies, there is a perfectly coordinated organization, with an elaborate production system, not individualistic and always working in favor of the hive.

Without pollination, there would be no flowers. Therefore, all the beauty of fields, yards and flower gardens that we see around is, to some extent, the result of his work. Each pollinated flower becomes a safe and attractive habitat for other insects or birds.

About this relationship between bees and flowers, researchers from the University of Bristol, in England, demonstrated that these insects are capable of sensing the electric field of a flower and of learning to distinguish the fields produced by different floral species. Based on this information, they are able to determine whether a flower has already been visited by other bees.

The EarthWatch Institute, an NGO supporting scientific research for the environment, declared that bees are among the most important insects in the world. The Doctor. George McGavin, entomologist and researcher at Imperial College, London, estimates that at least 250,000 species of plants and flowers depend on bees: “It would be a dull world without them”. The Doctor. McGavin estimates the economic value of bee pollination to be around $145 billion. This makes them an important base for global agricultural production—and, as we’ve already shown, an important economic force. “A world without bees would be unthinkable, but it can happen,” McGavin said.

Beeswax is the purest and most natural of all. In addition, these insects are responsible for naturally producing bee bread, mead, propolis and royal jelly. Each of its products is the result of a laborious and time-consuming process.

Faced with this global emergency, the Mexican Civil Council for Sustainable Forestry (CCMSS) suggests a series of measures that anyone can adopt at home.

Plant native flowers in the home garden, in parks and even on the balcony. Avoid chemical insecticides and produce natural ones (with garlic or pepper, for example). Do not destroy the hives. When a bee is in danger, drowning or stuck to some surface, it is best to hydrate it with water and honey. Build a shelter without chemical treatments, with wood or pieces of reeds.

Place a drinking fountain: it can be a cake pan with marbles and water.

Consume local organic products, thus stimulating producers who help these insects.

May 20th is World Bee Day, a commemorative date established to raise awareness and promote care for the ecosystems where these insects live. There is no doubt that we owe a lot to bees.

How do you imagine the world would be without bees? Do you believe we could live without them? We want to read your comments.