Many people dread bees due to their stings which are not only painful but causes allergies, I do too, although I love the honey they produce, lol, I can remember my reaction the first time I saw live bees, I had gone to buy oranges and I saw these creatures perching on the cut oranges that were used as sample. Thinking they were flies I moved closer but on seeing that they were bees, I was so afraid and made to scamper away but the seller told me not to be that they aren't going to harm me if only I don't disturb them. She said she has become used to them as they come in their numbers everyday to enjoy the sweet oranges.
Oranges just like every other flowering plant produce nectar and pollen that attract bees so don't be surprised if you see a bee coming to enjoy an orange with you, hehehe.
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As today, May 20th marks the World Bee Day, it's important to give a buzz of recognition to these tiny, winged wonders that make our world a sweeter place. Bees, often underestimated and misunderstood, are of great value to our ecosystems and play an important role towards maintaining biodiversity and food security and sustainable agriculture.
Their importance to our ecosystem is indispensable.
Bees' contributions to biodiversity and ecosystem health are vital to the survival of countless species, including humans in various ways;
- Pollination:
Without the bees, many of our food crops won't be able to reproduce effectively. Their role as agents of pollination has even been shown to increase crop yields and improve the quality of produce.
Through the process of pollination, the reproduction of plants are facilitated thereby leading to the growth of diverse plant species, which a variety of animal species rely on as food and shelter.
It may surprise you to know that one third of our food crops relies pollination by bees, that's why I call them man's friends.
- Maintenance of food chains:
Humans and many animals depend on the fruits and seeds produced by bee-pollinated plants, so without bees, the entire food chains could face disruption which wouldn't augur well for the ecosystem.
- Balancing Ecosystems:
Bees help maintain the delicate balance of ecosystems by promoting the growth of native plants and preventing the spread of invasive species like plants, birds, mammals etc.
- Contributing to soil health:
As bees engage in pollination and facilitating of plants growth, they are equally indirectly promoting a healthy soil by providing a rich source of organic matter through fallen leaves, fruits, and other plant materials.
However, these tiny, hardworking friends of ours are constantly facing numerous threats that could be disastrous to our planet. Some of which are;
Due to urbanization, natural habitats like forests, grasslands and wetlands are destroyed leaving the bees with fewer places to nest and forage for food.
Pesticide which are used in farming causes harm to the bees directly or indirectly by reducing the availability of food sources
There are numerous diseases and parasites which feed on adult bees, larvae, and pupae, weakening the bees and transmitting viruses that can cause deformities or even death.
The ever occurring climate change can alter the flowering and growing seasons of plants leading to decreased food sources.
The continued existence of these important and wonderful creatures lies in our hands. We all can help preserve them in so many ways like;
Planting an organic bee-friendly garden with a variety of native, pollen-rich plants that can bloom all through the season to provide food for the bees.
Patronizing organic bee farmers which can help reduce the use of chemicals that are harmful to the bees.
Many native bees nest in the ground, hollow stems, or deadwood so by providing nesting sites by leaving bare ground, creating a bee hotel, or leaving deadwood in your garden, you are helping to create habitats for them.
How about becoming a bee keeper, sounds great right? Doing this will keep you in an advantaged position to learn more about bees, and equally educate others about the importance of bees in the ecosystem.
Buying locally produced honey and beeswax products as a way of supporting and encouraging the local beekeepers is another great way to help preserve the bee' existence.
Just like the ants teach us teamwork, planning and organization, we can also learn a lot from the bees. Some of which are;
Teamwork: These creatures work together in a highly coordinated manner, dividing tasks and sharing resources for the benefit of the hive, that's one unique thing about the bees. The act of teamwork by the bees can serve as inspiration to us to collaborate and cooperate with others in whatever field we are to achieve shared goals.
Adaptability: We can learn from the bees the importance of being flexible and adapting to changing circumstances as they are notable for adapting and thriving in various environments and conditions.
Communication: We can also learn the power of effective communication and collaboration from the bees as they have a proper means of sharing information about nearby food sources and potential nesting sites, which is the waggle dance.
Ecosystem balance: The bees' role of maintaining the balance of our ecosystems through pollination is a way of teaching us the importance of valuing and protecting biodiversity.
Industriousness: The nature of bees are such that they are always busy working round the clock to collect nectar, produce honey, and maintain the hive. Just like Hivebuzz that is always buzzing, updating us on our latest achievements on Hive too and through we are motivated to be hardworking and persistent in our pursuits.
Thanks for reading...
Still the #threadsaddict 😂
This is for #mayinleo day 20