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DO YOU LIKE TO EAT? POLLINATORS NEED YOU! YOU NEED POLLINATORS Did you know that our food supply is based on the existence of pollinators. Yes, bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, moths, wasps, flies, beetles, even a few bats are some of the animals that move pollen between flowers, enabling them to produce seeds? Here are a few facts about pollinators: - 75% if the world's food crop depend on pollination
- 300%-Increase in volume of agricultural production dependent on animal pollination in the past 50 years.
- US$$$235-577 billion -Annual value of global crops affected by pollination
- 1.6 million tonnes-annual honey production from the western honeybee.
- 20,000-Number of species of wild bees. There are also some species of butterflies, moths, wasps beetles, birds, bats and other vertebrates that contribute to pollination.
- 16.5%-Percentage f vertebrate pollinators threatened with extinction globally.
- +40%-Percentage of invertebrate pollinator species-particularly bees and butterflies-facing extinction
Pollinators are also essential to human life. Consider for a moment that approximately one in three mouthfuls of food and beverage require the presence of a pollinator. The United State alone grows more than a hundred crop plants that need pollinators, These fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts and oils are important dietary sources of vitamins and minerals, without which the risks of malnutrition might be expected to increase. Without pollinators, there would be no apples, pumpkins, blueberries, or many other fruits and vegetables. Only wind-pollinated crops such as corn and wheat would remain. Several crops also represent an important source of income in developing countries from, for example the production of coffee and cocoa. The primary pollinator is bees for most wildflowers and crops in the United States and Canada. Worldwide there are an estimated 20,000 species of bees  , with approximately 4,000 native to North America. The non-native European honey bee is the most common domesticated pollinator in the United States. However, native pollinators are often adapted for specific plants, resulting in more efficient pollination an production of larger an more abundant fruits and seeds. Additionally, they improve quality of life, globally significant heritage sites and practices, symbols of identity, aesthetically significant landscapes. Sacred passages about bees occur in all major world religions. Pollinators at Risk Pollinators (Loss of honey due to pests, diseases and other factors) are in decline in many areas and this loss has been highly publicized in recent years. While the loss of honey bees is alarming, many of our wild native bees are also disappearing. For example, in the mid-1990's, the yellow -banded bumble bee was the moist abundant bumble bee in Northern Wisconsin. Ten years later it made up less than 1% of the state's bumble bees. Across the continent in Oregon, Franklin's bumble bee has likely gone extinct during the same period. the decline is primarily due to changes in land use, intensive agricultural practices and pesticide use, alien invasive specieis, diseases and pests, and climate change Pollinators are a keystone species group: the persistence of a large number of other species depends upon them. As pollinators disappear,  the effect on the health and viability of crops and native plant communities can be disastrous. Genetically modifies crops are usually either tolerant to herbicides or resistant to pest insects. The former reduces the availability of weeds, which supply food for pollinators. The latter often results in lower use of insecticides and may reduce pressure on beneficial insects including pollinators. However, the sub-lethal and indirect effects of GM crops on pollinators are poorly understood and not usually accounted for in risk assessments. Three Steps to Help Pollinators: (GOOD NEWS) The good news is that a number of steps can be taken to reduce the risk of pollinators, including practices based on indigenous and local knowledge. The safeguards include the promotion of sustainable agriculture, which helps to diversify the agricultural landscape and makes use of ecological processes as part of food production. Protecting, enhancing or providing habitat is the best way to conserve pollinators. Whether you tend a small flower box in the city or maintain a large rural garden, there are practical steps you can take to improve the health, abundance and diversity of your local pollinators. Create a Diversity of Bloom Bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects need abundant sector and pollen sources throughout the growing season. Select native plants whenever possible. Cultivate a landscape with diverse flower colors, shapes and bloom times. Try to provide blooming plants from early spring to fall with at least three species of flower in bloom each season. Some ornamental plants have been selected for traits that are attractive to people, rather than pollinators. Avoid pollens cultivars and double-petaled varieties of ornamental flowers. Protect Nests and Egg Laying Sites Native bees use untidy areas of the garden to nest such as open sandy ground, brush piles and old tree stumps and snags. Consider leaving some of these for wildlife habitat. Maybe leaving the remains of a plant over winter will help the nesting process. Supplement nesting opportunities with mason bee houses or bundles of hollow plant stems. Butterflies often need specific host plants to feed on during the caterpillar stage. For example the caterpillars of monarch butterflies feed exclusively on the leaves of various milkweeds. Protect or plant the host plants of butterflies native to your area. (plant milkweed) Don't Use Pesticides Decreasing the use and exposure of pesticides can be important tools for protecting crops and controlling invasive species, however most lawn and garden pest problems can be solves without such chemicals. Keep in mind that even "organic-approved" insecticides can harm pollinators and other wildlife. Herbicides, while usually not directly lethal to insects can reduce plan diversity, including the diversity of weedy, noninvasive wildflowers that provide essential pollen and nectar for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Bees at a Glance - The number of manages honey bee colonies in the United States has declined steadily over the past 60 years, from 6 million colonies (beehives) in 1947 to 4 million in 1970, 4 million in 1990 and 2.5 million today. Given the heavy dependence of certain crops on commercial pollination, reduced honey bee populations pose a real threat to domestic agriculture.
- Unlike honey bees which form large social units, the majority of our native bees live as solitary individuals, with each female constructing her own nest. She collects nectar and pollen to provision it with food for her offspring. The only native bees to form social colonies are bumble bees and a few species of sweat bees.
- Most natiive bees are usually very gently and unlikely to sting unless grabbed or stepped on. Only honey bees, bumble bees and a few of the social wasps such as yellow-jackets (which are not significant pollinators) are likely to sting when their nests are disturbed.
- The economic value of pollinator-dependent crops in the United States was estimated to be more than $24 billion to the United States. If this calculation is expanded to include indirect products, such as the milk and beef from cattle fed on alfalfa, pollinators may be responsible for more than twice the dollar amount. Additionally we may consider calculating the impact on the domestic economy.
Resources: 1. Xerces Society for Pollinator Conservation Resource Center, Learn more by visiting their website at www.xerces.org to find out where to purchase regional wildflower seed mixes and other valuable information for your area. 2. White House Archives 3. New York Times: February 26, 2016 |
