Save The Bees. Plant More Trees. Clean The Seas.

Save The Bees. Plant More Trees. Clean The Seas.
Graphic design © HHH. Photos – Pixabay (PD)

Save The Bees: Protecting Our Essential Pollinators

Bees play a crucial role in our ecosystem, pollinating approximately 75% of global crops and 90% of wild plants. [11] However, bee populations are facing significant threats:

Declining Numbers: In the United States, beekeepers reported annual hive losses of 40.7% in 2018-2019. [10] This decline is alarming, given the vital role bees play in food production and biodiversity.

Major Threats Facing Bee Populations Worldwide:

Pesticide Use

Pesticides, particularly neonicotinoids, pose a significant threat to bee populations. These systemic insecticides are absorbed by plants and can contaminate pollen and nectar, making them toxic to bees. [4] Neonicotinoids affect bees’ central nervous systems, impairing critical functions like feeding, navigation, foraging, and reproduction. [7] Even at sublethal doses, pesticides can weaken bees’ immune systems and resistance to disease. [7] Studies have shown that pesticide exposure reduces breeding success in bumblebees and can prevent solitary bees from reproducing altogether. [7]

Habitat Loss

Urbanization and intensive farming practices have led to significant habitat loss for bees. The conversion of natural landscapes to agricultural land and urban areas has reduced the availability of diverse floral resources that bees rely on for food. [1] Loss of flower-rich road verges, arable margins, and brownfield sites has further contributed to habitat degradation. [1] Habitat fragmentation isolates bee populations, reducing gene flow and genetic diversity. This makes bees more vulnerable to other stressors like disease and parasites. [1]

Climate Variations

Climate variations can disrupt the delicate balance between bees and their environment. Temperature changes may change flowering patterns, potentially creating mismatches between when bees emerge and when flowers bloom. [5] This phenological mismatch can lead to food shortages for bees. Climate change also affects plant physiology, potentially reducing the nutritional quality of pollen and nectar. [5] Extreme weather events like droughts, floods, and wildfires associated with climate change can destroy bee habitats and food sources. [9]

Parasites and Diseases

The Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) is a particularly devastating parasite affecting honey bees. These mites feed on bees’ hemolymph, weakening them and transmitting viruses. [3] Heavy Varroa infestations can lead to deformed wings, reduced lifespan, and eventual colony collapse. [6] Other diseases, such as Nosema infections, further compromise bee health. [3] Climate change may exacerbate these issues by extending the period when bees forage, allowing more time for mites and pathogens to spread. [9]

Interacting Stressors

These threats do not act in isolation but often interact, compounding their effects on bee populations. For example, pesticide exposure can weaken bees’ immune systems, making them more susceptible to parasites and diseases. [7] Climate change may force bees to forage in new areas, potentially exposing them to unfamiliar pesticides or pathogens. [9] The combination of these stressors creates a complex and challenging environment for bee survival and reproduction.

Actions to Help Bees:

• Plant bee-friendly flowers, especially early-blooming species like ground ivy and red dead-nettle. [18]

• Avoid using pesticides in gardens

• Support local beekeepers by buying local honey

• Create bee habitats by leaving areas of gardens wild

Plant More Trees: Restoring Our Forests and Urban Canopies

Trees are essential for combating climate change, improving air quality, and supporting biodiversity. Here’s why planting trees is crucial:

Environmental Benefits:
• Carbon sequestration: Trees absorb CO2, helping mitigate climate change
• Air purification: Trees filter pollutants, improving air quality
• Soil conservation: Tree roots prevent erosion and improve soil health
• Biodiversity support: Trees provide habitats for countless species

Social and Economic Benefits:
• Mental health: Spending time among trees reduces stress. [20]
• Property value: Well-landscaped homes with mature trees can be worth up to 10% more. [20]
• Energy savings: Strategically placed trees can reduce cooling costs in summer. [20]

Tree Planting Initiatives:
• Support local tree planting programs
• Participate in community forestry projects
• Plant native tree species in your yard or community spaces
• Advocate for urban tree planting policies

Clean The Seas: Combating Ocean Pollution

Our oceans are under threat from various pollutants, with plastic waste being a primary concern. Here are some startling facts and ways to help:

Ocean Pollution Statistics:
• 8 million tons of plastic enter the oceans annually. [16]
• 80% of marine pollution comes from land-based sources. [16]
• By 2050, there could be more plastic than fish in the oceans (by weight). [16]

Impact on Marine Life:
• Over 800 marine species are affected by ocean pollution. [16]
• 100 million marine animals die each year from plastic waste alone. [21]
• Microplastics are found in 100% of marine turtle species, 59% of whale species, 36% of seal species, and 40% of seabird species. [21]

Actions to Clean the Seas:
• Reduce single-use plastic consumption
• Participate in beach and river clean-ups
• Support organizations working on ocean conservation
• Advocate for policies that reduce plastic production and improve waste management

Innovative Solutions:
• Ocean cleanup technologies like The Ocean Cleanup project
• Development of biodegradable alternatives to plastic
• Improved waste management systems in coastal areas
• Support a bag tax or ban: Urge your elected officials to follow the lead of California, Hawaii, and New York and introduce or support legislation that would make plastic bags less accessible. Even better would be implementing a ban on plastic bags and encouraging the use of reusable bags.
• Put pressure on manufacturers: Though we can make a difference through our own habits, corporations obviously have a much bigger footprint. If you believe a company could be smarter about its packaging and use less plastic, make your voice heard. Write a letter, tag them on social media, or hit them where it really hurts: Give your money to a more sustainable competitor.

Planting Bee-Friendly Flowers: A Detailed Guide to Supporting Pollinators

Creating a garden that supports bee populations is a rewarding way to contribute to biodiversity and the health of our ecosystems. Here’s how to plant bee-friendly flowers, with a focus on choosing native varieties and avoiding invasive species.

Why Native Plants Matter

Native plants are those that have evolved in a particular region over thousands of years. They are well-adapted to the local climate, soil, and wildlife, making them an ideal choice for supporting native bee species. Native plants typically require less water and maintenance, and they provide the best resources for local pollinators.

Benefits of Native Plants:
• Better support for native bees and other pollinators
• Reduced need for water and fertilizers
• Lower maintenance and higher resilience to local pests and diseases
• Enhanced biodiversity and ecosystem health

Avoiding Invasive Species

Invasive species are non-native plants that spread aggressively and can outcompete native species, disrupting local ecosystems. Planting invasive species can harm native plant populations and the wildlife that depend on them, including bees.

Examples of Invasive Species to Avoid:
• Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica)
• Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
• English Ivy (Hedera helix)
• Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii), though attractive to bees, can be invasive in some regions

Choosing the Right Flowers

When selecting flowers for your bee-friendly garden, consider the following tips:

1. Opt for Single, Open Flowers: Bees prefer flowers where they can easily access the nectar and pollen. Single flowers, as opposed to double flowers, are more accessible to bees. Examples include single-flowered dahlias and cosmos.

2. Plant a Variety of Shapes and Colors: Different bee species are attracted to different flower shapes and colors. For instance, long-tongued bees like tubular flowers such as foxgloves and honeysuckle, while short-tongued bees prefer open, daisy-like flowers.

3. Ensure Year-Round Blooming: To provide a continuous food source, plant flowers that bloom at different times of the year. Aim to have at least two nectar- or pollen-rich plants in flower during each season.

Spring Flowers:
• Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta)
• Crocus (Crocus spp.)
• Primrose (Primula vulgaris)
• Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis)

Summer Flowers:
• Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
• Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
• Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)
• Hollyhock (Alcea rosea)

Autumn Flowers:
• Aster (Aster spp.)
• Sedum (Sedum spp.)
• Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)
• Japanese Anemone (Anemone hupehensis)

Winter Flowers:
• Winter Honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima)
• Ivy (Hedera helix)
• Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis)
• Hellebore (Helleborus spp.)

Creating a Bee-Friendly Habitat

In addition to planting the right flowers, consider these tips to make your garden even more inviting for bees:

1. Provide Water Sources: Bees need water for hydration and cooling their hives. Create a bee bath by placing shallow dishes of water with pebbles for bees to land on.

2. Avoid Pesticides: Many pesticides are harmful to bees. Opt for organic gardening methods and natural pest control solutions.

3. Leave Some Areas Wild: Allow parts of your garden to grow wild with native plants and grasses. This provides bees with natural foraging and nesting sites.

4. Install Bee Hotels: Bee hotels provide nesting sites for solitary bees. Place them in sunny, sheltered spots in your garden.

5. Create Diversity: Plant a mix of flowers, shrubs, and trees to create a diverse habitat that supports various bee species.

Remember to choose native plants and avoid invasive species to ensure your efforts benefit the local ecosystem.

There it is! By taking action to save bees, plant trees, and clean our seas, we can make a significant positive impact on our planet’s health and biodiversity. Every individual effort contributes to the larger goal of creating a sustainable and thriving environment for all species.

Please share this post. Let’s get the word out there. HH&H.

Learn more about bees, trees and seas:

Overwhelming Evidence Linking Neonicotinoid Insecticides To Massive Die-off Of Bees And Songbirds

16 oz Of Honey Requires 1152 Bees To Travel 112,000 Miles

Benefits Of Trees

10 Things You Can Do For Trash Free Seas