Biodiversity forms the foundation of the vast array of ecosystem services that critically contribute to human well-being. GreenFacts.org
May 20, 2020 was “World Bee Day”. But many of us celebrate their contribution to biodiversity every day. Bees and other pollinators are making our planet a better place to live and work…a better place to bee.
How Bees Influence Biodiversity
Bees are a very important part of our ecosystem. As pollinators, they influence the growth of plants; trees and flowers are shelters for other diverse populations that co-exist with humans. Plants require germination; the transfer from the “male” part to the “female” part of the plant. As bees travel between flowers, they leave behind pollen grains. This allows plants to grow and reproduce; this is critical to biodiversity.
Without bees, our food supply would be in jeopardy. Almost 75% of the world’s crops depend on pollinators, including bees.
Here are 3 reasons why bees matter to biodiversity:
- Bees in the Wild
We sometimes forget the untamed beauty hidden in jungles and forests. In addition to pollinating crops and gardens, bees enable nuts, berries, fruits, and many times of seeds to develop, providing essential food sources for wild animals. Your small garden is host to hundreds of unseen creatures. Imagine what our biodiversity would lose if bees disappeared from our forests and wildness! - Honey: The Nectar of Life
We have enjoyed honey since the beginning of time. The first written and verbal histories of humankind include mention of honey. In fact, the use of honey as a medical remedy is likely older than the medical profession itself. One of the first references was in 5500 BCE, in Egypt. (Lower Egypt was even called “Bee Land”.) Animals and humans instinctively love honey. Its nutritional value and sweet taste are appealing and contribute to overall wellness for many species. - The Food Chain
Bees themselves are food for birds and insects. Some well-known predators will break into beehives and eat everything: bees, wax, the hive structure itself, and the bees. Those include:
● Badgers
● Foxes
● Mice/shrews
● Opossums
● Raccoons
● Skunks
● Weasels
We Need Bees and You Can Help: Plant a Bee-Friendly Garden for Biodiversity
Honey for the people, flowers for the bees! -Zzinga
When you eat and drink honey, you are doing a small part to support the development and production of honey. A more direct approach and one with greater ecological impact is a bee garden.
Climate changes are causing some flowers and plants to bloom earlier-than or later-than normal, leaving bees without adequate sources of nutrition at times. Geographic over-development, rural property abandonment, harmful pesticides, a shortage of bee-friendly flowers…all can contribute to a growing decline in global bee populations.
You can help! When you plant a bee garden, you’re restoring life to the planet. And your life-giving plants can ensure bees continue to thrive and do their job keeping our ecosystem healthy and lively.
Ask about our BEE Conscious Box: A 6-pack of Zzinga and a herb pot can get your bee garden started for this year! To learn more about bees, honey, and biodiversity, visit us at Zzinga Sparkling Honey today.