W“Mankind will not survive the disappearance of honeybees for more than five years.

          -Albert Einstein.

Some plants are pollinated by wind, but that rate is very slow. Insects are the primary
pollinators on the planet. Beetles and butterflies also pollinate, but bees are the most
efficient insects for this purpose. Over 60% of all fruits and vegetables consumed by
humans are pollinated by bees. They are the primary pollinators if not the only pollinators of
many of these fruits and vegetables. Many plants such as almonds, pears, apples,
strawberries, and blackberries are only pollinated by bees. Almond trees would be among
the first casualties.

If bees went extinct, there would be a massive decline in the production of crops. Although
crops like rice and wheat don’t require insect pollination, ask yourself how long can people
survive by eating rice and bread all their life?

Why Bees Are Important to Humans

The bee is a fascinating creation of nature. While many people view bees as scary insects that may sting
when disturbed, bees play a critical role in the daily lives of humans. From pollinating up to one-sixth of
all flowering plants in the world to increasing the yield of food crops, bees are a vital part of the U.S. and
global economy.

Bees are those insects which feed on flowers and have hairy bodies with four arms.  Bees cannot
survive without the nectar of flowers and this very fact makes them very important to the ecosystem.
Confused? Well yes, bees are extremely essential and important to the ecosystem because without
bees, pollination of flowers would not be possible and hence food production would not take place.
Let’s read further to know about the importance of bees to our ecosystem.
Why Bees Are Important to Humans

The sad news is that bee populations across the world are decreasing. The exact reason is not yet
known, but climate change and human activity (such as destroying bee habitats and overusing chemical
fertilizers) certainly play a factor. Here are the reasons why bees are so important to humans, followed
by tips on how you can help support your local bee populations.

1. Bees are the key to much of our food supply

It’s widely known that bees play an important role in pollination. By sucking on the nectar of flowering
plants, bees spread pollen to other plants and help with the fertilization process. They also disperse
seeds and encourage the growth of many different plant species.

Pollination is what most farmers rely on to enjoy healthy crop yields during every planting season.
Without pollination, yields would be low, and we wouldn’t enjoy enough supply of food crops such as
kales, broccoli, avocados, and cucumbers.
In addition to food crops, bees also pollinate commercial crops such as cotton and clovers. Cotton is
used in many different manufacturing processes, while clovers provide fodder for cattle.

2. Bees contribute to the overall growth of the economy

It’s fascinating to think about how important a tiny insect such as the bee is to humans. Bees contribute
as much as $15 billion to the U.S food crop industry. With about 4000 bee species in the U.S alone, each
type of bee plays an important role in promoting the growth of food crops around the country. Bees
pollinate flowers, spread seeds, and increase yields from our farms and gardens. As a result, we end up
with fruits, nuts, berries, and seeds that grow both in domestic and wild areas.

The hard work of bees has led to growth in the U.S food crop economy. This, in turn, results in more jobs
being available during downstream processes. For example, all crops that are harvested have to undergo
additional processing before they end up on your table as lunch or dinner. With a healthy population of
bees, the country’s economy is more likely to thrive.

3. Bees are an essential part of the ecosystem

Bees also play an important role in the local ecosystem. Though their natural activities, honeybees
encourage the healthy growth of flowers, plants, and trees, which in turn serve as habitats for other
insects. From birds to butterflies and ants, bees support other species that also play an important role in
pollination.

Bees serve as a natural source of prey for many different species further up the food chain. Birds,
spiders, and dragonflies rely on bees as their source of food for generating the energy they need to
survive.

Some species of bees dig burrows underneath the soil to form their habitats. This digging helps aerate
the ground and keep it healthier in the long run.

4. Honey is used in many different ways by humans

Perhaps the best-known benefit of bees is honey. Bees produce honey as a food source for the colony
when the weather gets cold. But it’s not just bees that rely on honey. Humans also harvest honey to use
in many different ways, from applying it on bread to an ingredient of cosmetic products.

It would be difficult to imagine the human world without honey. We use it to treat wounds, promote the
growth of healthy hair and skin, and add taste to many different recipes in the home.
5. Bees make the environment beautiful

Bees also contribute to biodiversity and thus make our environment attractive. These insects promote
the growth of many different species of plants, flowers, and trees, thus contributing towards a vibrant
ecosystem that sustains other insects, birds, and mammals. Simply put, bees are the unsung heroes that
make our environment thrive.

With an understanding of why bees are so important, you can play an active role in supporting local bee
populations. In Southern California, simple activities such as using organic fertilizers in your garden,
planting bee-loving plants, and purchasing products from your local beekeepers will help local bees
thrive. Remember that bees fuel the economy of Southern California. Help support local bee
populations by buying your honey products from local bee-keepers.