Bees: Human's best friends are now an endangered species
D. Indumathi, The Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai

Bees have been declared the most important living beings on this planet, the Earthwatch Institute concluded in a recent meeting of the Royal Geographical Society of London. Why would such a little being be named the most important creature on Earth? The answer is: seventy percent of the world's agriculture depends exclusively on bees. Nearly 90% of the world’s wild flowering plant species depend, entirely, or at least in part, on animal pollination, along with more than 75% of the world’s food crops and 35% of global agricultural land. Not only do pollinators contribute directly to food security, but they are key to conserving biodiversity.

BOX What is a pollinator?
A pollinator is anything that helps carry pollen from the male part of the flower (stamen) to the female part of the same or another flower (stigma). The movement of pollen must occur for the plant to become fertilized and produce fruits, seeds, and young plants.
Most of the 25,000 to 30,000 species of bees are effective pollinators, and together with moths, flies, wasps, beetles, and butterflies, they make up the majority of pollinating species. But the diversity of pollinators and pollination systems is striking.
There are also vertebrate pollinators, including bats, non-flying mammals (such as several species of monkey, rodents, lemur, tree squirrels, olingo, and kinkajou) and birds (hummingbirds, sunbirds, honeycreepers and some parrot species).
The more the kinds of pollinators, the healthier the environment.
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Endangered
Recent studies show almost 90 percent of the bee population has disappeared in the last few years.  Bees are under threat; in fact, whole species are disappearing. It has been estimated that the present species extinction rates are 100 to 1,000 times higher than normal due to human impacts. Close to 35 percent of invertebrate pollinators, particularly bees and butterflies, and about 17 percent of vertebrate pollinators, such as bats, face extinction globally.  The uncontrolled use of pesticides, deforestation or lack of flowers are the main reasons for their extinction.
In order to protect these hard-working creatures, some activists believe that we should immediately prohibit the use of pesticides, promote completely natural agricultural alternatives and we should carefully monitor their health and welfare.

BOX Why do we need pollinators?
Pollinators allow many plants, including many food crops, to reproduce.  Indeed, the food that we eat, such as fruits and vegetables, directly relies on pollinators. A world without pollinators would equal a world without food diversity – no coffee, chocolate, cucumbers and so much more. They also serve as guards for emerging environmental risks, and keep a check on the health of local ecosystems.

Pollinators not only help ensure the abundance of fruits, nuts, and seeds, but also their variety and quality, which is crucial for human nutrition. Beyond food, pollinators also contribute directly to medicines, biofuels, fibers like cotton and linen, and construction materials.
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How can we do more?
Individually, we can help by: 
-   planting a diverse set of native plants, which flower at different times of the year;
-   buying raw honey from local farmers;
-   buying products from sustainable agricultural practices;
-   avoiding pesticides, fungicides or herbicides in our gardens;
-   protecting wild bee colonies when possible;
-   sponsoring a hive;
-   making a bee water fountain by leaving a water bowl outside;
-   helping sustaining forest ecosystems;
-   raising awareness around us by sharing this information within our communities and networks. The decline of bees affects us all!
Beekeepers or farmers can help by reducing, or changing the usage of pesticides; diversifying crops as much as possible. Governments and decision-makers can also help by strengthening the participation of local communities in decision-making, in particular that of indigenous people, who know and respect ecosystems and biodiversity.

Adapting to changing climates
A diverse collection of pollinators, with different traits and responses to ambient conditions, is also one of the best ways to minimise risks due to climate change. Their diversity ensures that there are effective pollinators not just for current conditions, but for future conditions, as well. In this way, agriculture can be made robust and withstand the burden of climate change and global warming.

BOX Why do we mark International Days?
To raise awareness of the importance of pollinators, the threats they face and their contribution to sustainable development, the United Nations has designated 20 May as World Bee Day. Such international days are occasions to educate the public on issues that should concern all of us. It also makes governments aware of the global problems so that efforts can be made to solve them.
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Sources:
Science Times, https://www.sciencetimes.com/environ-climate,
United Nations Web-site, https://www.un.org/en/observances/bee-day