Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2009 | Page 66

life

COUNTRYSIDE, WILDLIFE & FARMING

Bee-ing Productive
By Tony Ridd
We are all aware of bees, whether they be

(Biodiversity Action Plan) priority

pollinators for more than ten of our

bumble, honey or solitary bees! But are

species, in recognition of the need for

essential food crops in the UK including

you aware, just how important they are

‘conservation action’. Solitary bees, may

oilseed rape, apples, pears, runner beans

to our food production, and, how severe

be even more vulnerable, because they

and soft fruit like strawberries and

their decline has been over the last couple

require specialised locations.

raspberries.

of years?
There are over two hundred and fifty

So, what’s the big deal you’re probably

They pollinate more than hundred

wondering? Well it’s estimated that

varieties of crops as well as 90 percent of

different species of bee in the UK, the

about one third of everything we eat,

all flowering plants. Every bee makes ten

Honey Bee, 16-19 Bumble Bees species

involves bee pollination, and with a

or more flights a day, each flight lasting

and over 200 Solitary Bee species. But

decline in our bee population of 30%

more than an hour, visiting between, 50,

their population is under threat. In the

over the last two years, you begin to

to 100 flowers.

last 70 years two Bumble Bee species

realise there might be a problem!

have become extinct in our country,
with a further six designated as UKBAP
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The danger is on the door step of
pretty much all of us. Honey bees are

On top of this they are the only insect
that produces food for humans, honey!