Bees, Other Pollinators Play Vital Role in Global Food Production, IPBES Report Finds
Bees and other pollinators play a crucial role in global food production, supporting the growth of many fruits, vegetables, nuts and other crops that contribute to human nutrition and food security.
A global assessment by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) found that more than 75 per cent of the world’s leading food crop types benefit, at least partly, from animal pollination, while pollinator-dependent crops account for about 35 per cent of global crop production by volume.
The assessment, Pollinators, Pollination and Food Production, was developed by international experts, including co-chair Dr Vera Lucia Imperatriz-Fonseca, a senior professor at the University of São Paulo in Brazil.
Pollination occurs when pollen is transferred between flowers, helping plants produce fruits and seeds. Bees are among the most important pollinators, alongside butterflies, moths, flies, beetles, birds and bats.
Many familiar foods, including apples, coffee, cocoa, nuts and several fruit varieties, benefit from animal pollination. Beyond food production, pollinators also support the reproduction of wild flowering plants and contribute to the health of ecosystems.
Pollinators Face Growing Threats
Despite their importance, pollinators are increasingly threatened by human activities. The IPBES assessment identifies habitat loss, intensive agricultural practices, pesticide exposure and climate change among the pressures affecting pollinators and their habitats.
Declining pollinator populations could affect agricultural productivity, farmers’ livelihoods and the availability of nutritious foods. The impact varies from crop to crop, as some depend heavily on animal pollination while others rely less on it.
Protecting Pollinators Means Protecting Food Security
Scientists and environmental experts have highlighted the importance of conserving natural habitats, planting flowering vegetation, reducing harmful pesticide exposure and adopting farming practices that support pollinator populations.
The findings underline the close relationship between biodiversity and human well-being. Protecting bees and other pollinators is not simply an environmental concern; it is also an investment in sustainable agriculture, healthy ecosystems and future food security.
The next time a fruit is enjoyed, the contribution of these small but essential creatures is worth remembering. Their role in nature may be easy to overlook, but their impact reaches far beyond the flowers they visit.
Source: IPBES, Assessment Report on Pollinators, Pollination and Food Production (2016).
Bees, Other Pollinators Play Vital Role in Global Food Production, IPBES Report Finds