Bees, and other pollinators such as butterflies, birds, bats, and insects, pollinate plants, and veggie patches while boosting the colour and beauty of our gardens. Their pollinating activities are crucial to food security as well as being vitally important in sustaining eco-systems, and enhancing biodiversity by helping plants reproduce.
One in every three spoonful of what we eat depends solely or partly on bees, and pollinators. Without them, much of the world’s food supply would end. Many fruits and vegetables such as: broccoli; cucumbers; lettuce; peppers; parsley; pumpkin; Brussel sprouts; and watermelon require bees, and other insects for cross pollination.
There are many Australian native plant species that provide nectar, and pollen for bees and other pollinators. Honey bees are the most important pollinators for the majority of our crop species but native bees, and other insect pollinators play important roles too (refer the links at the end of this post on European honey bees and Australian native bees).
Bee friendly gardens at home, in parks, public spaces, school gardens and in streets along nature strips and median strips play an important role in providing a sanctuary for biodiversity and building essential pollinator habitat.
There are 1,700 identified native bee species in Australia and it is thought another 1,000 species are undiscovered. Sadly, bee populations across the world are diminishing due to climate change, pesticides and industrial agriculture, loss of habitat, the varroa mite disease and the commercial viability of beekeeping.
Bees need a good variety of pollen and nutrients from a diverse number of plants. Gardens can be any size but the bigger the better. What helps bees also assists other pollinators.
The first step in attracting native bees is to plant lots of flowers and build up the soil for native bees to nest in. Another way to attract native bees is to build ‘bee hotels’ within holes in tree trunks or walls protected from the elements.
by Rotary Melbourne Environmental Services Committee
March 10, 2022
