Bees are important because they are vital pollinators, helping many plants, including a large number of food crops, to reproduce and grow. Through pollination, bees enable fruit, vegetable, nut, and berry production, contributing significantly to global food security and biodiversity. Without bees, many plant species would struggle to survive, leading to a serious impact on ecosystems and food supplies. Additionally, bees provide valuable products like honey and beeswax with medicinal and economic benefits.
Key Reasons Bees Are Important
- Pollination for Food Production: Bees pollinate many of the crops humans rely on for food. About 75% of crops yield better with animal pollination, and bees are the main pollinators for over 90% of the world's top crops. In the UK alone, about 70 crops depend on bee pollination, worth billions in agricultural value. Without bees, manual pollination would be laborious and costly, and many crops would suffer from reduced productivity and availability.
- Ecosystem and Biodiversity Support: Bees are keystone species, essential for preserving biodiversity and the health of ecosystems. Many native plants depend on specific bee species for pollination, and losing bees can disrupt entire ecological communities.
- Economic and Medicinal Value: Beyond pollination, bees produce honey, beeswax, propolis, royal jelly, and pollen, which have been used historically in medicine and various industries. Honey has potential health benefits, and beeswax is used in products like skincare items.
- Food Security: It is estimated that without bees, global food production would drop by about 35%, making many fruits and vegetables less accessible or more expensive.
The importance of bees extends beyond just honey production, encompassing critical roles in global agriculture, environmental sustainability, and human health.
