What Role Do Bees Play in the Ecosystem

• They Are the Top Pollinators

• They Facilitate Wildlife Habitats

• Bees Promote Biodiversity

• They Trigger the Growth of Wild Plants

• Bees Are Responsible for Global Food Security

• Economic Importance

• Common Threats That Are Leading to Declining Bee Populations

• Effective Ways You Can Protect the Bees

The following are a few points that clearly show how honeybees support ecosystems around the globe.

1. They Are the Top Pollinators

For a plant to germinate and reproduce, there must be a transfer of pollen from the male part, or anther of the flower, to the female part, or stigma. A very small amount of pollen reaches the stigma by wind and other means.

So, how do we get this huge abundance of wildflowers and edible crops? The answer is, of course, the bees. About one-third of the world’s crop production depends on pollination by bees. Bees jump from flower to flower collecting nectar while also trapping pollen on their bodies and delivering it to the female parts of the flowers.

Bees are responsible for pollinating about 30-35% of the world’s crops and about 90% of all plants that require cross-pollination to thrive. These busy workers pollinate billions of wild plants and agricultural crops, which is exactly what makes this keystone species an indispensable part of our ecosystem.

2. They Facilitate Wildlife Habitats

Millions of insects and animals that live out in the wild have to thank bees for their habitats.

The pollination by the bees is the main reason behind the growth of tropical forests, savannah woodlands, and temperate deciduous forests. Some tree species, like poplar and willows, also need pollination by bees to grow.

All these locations serve as habitats for a wide range of fauna, ranging from small insects to birds to wild cats and elephants.

In a world without bees, countless forest plants and trees will not be able to grow, and that will in turn destroy the food and shelter sources for billions of animals.

This is why supporting wildlife habitat is probably among the most important roles that bees play in our ecosystem.

3. Bees Promote Biodiversity

Bees are the reason behind the creation of complex interconnected ecosystems scattered around the planet, where a diverse range of flora and fauna can thrive.

By pollinating a wide range of wild flowers, bees directly sustain biodiversity, which is essential for every living organism on this planet that depends on other species for their survival and growth.

Since biodiversity is among the main indicators of the health of an ecosystem, and bees play a big role in sustaining biodiversity, we can say that their contribution to our ecosystem is a lot more than we give them credit for.

4. They Trigger the Growth of Wild Plants

About 80% of all wild flowering plants in the world are dependent on pollination by bees. It is with pollination that flowers produce seeds, which lead to the growth of new plants and floral landscapes in the wild. These wild plants are used by other species as food, shelter, and nests, which are essential for their survival.

5. Bees Are Responsible for Global Food Security

As mentioned before, bees create about one-third of the total crops globally, and they support the growth of flora that animals feed on. These animals, in turn, serve as a source of food for other animals and humans. Thus, bees both directly and indirectly ensure global food security.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, about 75% of the edible crops and 35% of the total agricultural land of the world depend on bees.

Bees produce raw honey that humans have been using for thousands of years as food and medicine. Apart from humans, other creatures like birds, raccoons, and bears also raid beehives to get the sweet and nutritious golden liquid.

Bees are themselves a part of the food chain, which is another way they ensure food security in the ecosystem. Many species of birds, spiders, praying mantises, and dragonflies prey on bees.

6. Economic Importance

Apart from the regular ecosystem, the economic ecosystem of the world also heavily relies on honeybees. Estimates suggest that bees and other pollinators contribute more than $217 billion annually to the global economy.

The bees produce honey, honeycomb, royal jelly, beeswax, and bee pollen, which are used in a wide range of industries, including food and beverages, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, to name just a few.

Without bees, all the industries that rely on these raw materials will soon collapse, leading to severe economic consequences for the entire globe.

Conclusion

Bees are more important for our ecosystem and biodiversity than we think. These industrious creatures labor day and night to pollinate our crops and provide us with honey.

Bees create a sustainable ecosystem by allowing diverse flora and fauna to thrive in their natural habitats. Our global food supply and overall planet health rely heavily on bees.

This is why we need to make sure these valuable insects do not decline in population due to our activities like deforestation, high pesticide usage, pollution, and climate change. This is the only way to ensure our ecosystem stays healthy for the years to come.

You can visit us at Geohoney to check out our wide range of pure, raw honey products and learn more about honey bees and beekeeping from our blog here.