National Don't Step On A Bee Day 2023: Why do Bees need protection?
After the success of increased awareness from Don't Step on a Bee Day 2022, we couldn’t pass on the opportunity to speak about national bee day this year!
Bees play a crucial role in pollination by transferring pollen from the male parts of flowers to the female parts, enabling plants to produce fruits and seeds. This essential process sustains biodiversity, enhances the productivity of ecosystems, and ensures the stability of our food systems.
The significance of bees as pollinators cannot be overstated. They are responsible for pollinating a wide range of crops, including the fresh foods we enjoy as a significant part of our diets. Without bees, the reproductive cycle of these plants would be severely disrupted, leading to diminished yields, decreased biodiversity, and the potential collapse of entire ecosystems.
Every year, on the 10th of July, Don't Step On A Bee Day is celebrated. A dedicated day aimed at raising awareness about the importance of bees and their critical role as pollinators in our ecosystem. This special day serves as a reminder of the urgent need to protect these remarkable creatures and preserve their habitats - here’s what you need to know!
The Decline of Bee Populations
The loss of wildflower meadows in the UK has had a devastating impact on bee habitats and species. Since the 1930s, an alarming 97% of lowland wildflower meadows in the country have been lost, eradicating a vital habitat for bees. This loss has resulted in a significant decline in the availability of food and nesting sites for bees. The disappearance of bee habitats directly threatens the survival of various bee species that rely on these wildflower meadows for their existence.
Among the bee species facing a decline, the great yellow bumble bees serve as a notable example. Once found across the UK, their population has decreased by a staggering 80% in the last century. Factors such as habitat loss, changes in land use, and a decrease in the availability of their preferred food sources have contributed to the decline of these magnificent bumblebees. The dwindling numbers of great yellow bumble bees exemplify the vulnerability of bee species and the urgent need for conservation efforts to reverse their decline.
The Role of Bees in Ecosystems
Bees play a vital role in pollination, making them key contributors to maintaining biodiversity. As bees visit flowers to collect nectar and pollen, they inadvertently transfer pollen grains from the male parts of flowers to the female parts, facilitating fertilisation and the production of fruits, seeds, and new plants. This pollination process is essential for the reproduction of flowering plants, including many crops and wild plant species. By enabling plants to reproduce and proliferate, bees ensure the diversity and resilience of ecosystems, supporting the survival of numerous plant and animal species.
Bees also contribute significantly to the growth and health of various habitats, such as meadows, woodlands, heathlands, and hedgerows. As bees visit flowers for foraging, they aid in the cross-pollination of diverse plant species within these habitats. This cross-pollination promotes genetic diversity, leading to stronger and more adaptable plant populations. In turn, robust plant communities provide essential resources and shelter for a wide range of animals, including birds, insects, and other wildlife. The presence of bees in these habitats acts as a catalyst for their ecological richness and stability.
Are Bees protected?
“Honeybees are not a legally protected species in the UK. In fact none of the 250 odd species of bee that live in the UK are. That means it is especially important to know our bees and do our best to protect them anyway.”
Steps to Protect Bees
Restoring and creating wild areas
By conserving and reestablishing natural landscapes, including wildflower meadows, grasslands, and other suitable habitats, we can provide bees with essential foraging and nesting opportunities. Protecting and connecting these wild areas helps sustain healthy bee populations and supports the broader ecosystem.
Promoting the planting of wildflowers
By cultivating gardens, urban green spaces, and agricultural lands with a diverse range of wildflowers, we ensure a consistent and abundant supply of nectar and pollen for bees. Creating floral resources throughout the seasons is especially important to sustain bee populations during critical periods of their life cycles.
Advocating for nature-friendly farming practices
Encouraging farmers to adopt sustainable and bee-friendly approaches, such as reducing the use of harmful pesticides and implementing integrated pest management strategies, minimises the risk of bee poisoning and ensures the availability of safe foraging areas for bees.
Addressing climate change
As climate patterns shift, it can disrupt the synchronised timing between plants and their pollinators. Taking steps to mitigate climate change and promote a stable climate helps preserve the delicate balance between bees and the plants they rely on for survival.
Don't Step On A Bee Day aims to highlight the vital role of bees in maintaining the balance of our natural world and emphasises the urgent need for their protection. By raising awareness about the importance of bees as pollinators, we can be part of communities that take action in preserving bee populations, conserving their habitats, and adopting practices that promote their well-being.
Sources:
https://bagsofethics.org/dont-step-on-a-bee-day-what-can-you-do-to-help-save-our-bees/
https://support.wwf.org.uk/uk-nature/bees
https://soweasy.com/blog/promote-world-bee-day-with-wildflower-seeds/
https://www.scottishbeecompany.co.uk/blogs/news/are-honeybees-protected