For centuries bees, among the hardest working creatures on the planet, have benefited people, plants and the environment. By carrying pollen from one flower to another, bees and other pollinators enable not only the production of an abundance of fruits, nuts and seeds, but also more variety and better quality, contributing to food security and nutrition.
Pollination has a positive impact on the environment in general, helping to maintain biodiversity and the vibrant ecosystems upon which agriculture and humanity depend. A wide variety of plants critical to human well-being and livelihoods require pollinators. In fact, bees and other pollinators provide the important ecosystem service of ensuring out-crossing (that is, crossing genes) and, thus, reproduction of many cultivated and wild plants.
Did you know?
The vast majority of pollinator species are wild, including more than 20,000 species of bees. Pollinators contribute to 35 percent of the world’s total crop production, pollinating 87 of 115 leading food crops worldwide.
Close to 75 percent of the world’s crops producing fruits and seeds for human use depend, at least in part, on pollinators. In many areas, bees, pollinators and many other insects are declining in abundance and diversity.
Our food security, nutrition and the health of our environment depend on bees and pollinators. Everyone can make a difference to support, restore and enhance the role of bees and pollinators.
What's the buzz about?
We all know the bee basics. They’re important pollinators. They make honey. They make buzz. They like to join you at picnics.
But did you know that they also provide us with medicines and even help keep our planet beautiful and healthy?
Take our bee quiz and learn more about these tiny food heroes!
Source: FAO
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