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BIG FOOTPRINT OF THE BEE BEN BOLAND Country Journal
Cattle are astronomically larger, dogs and cats more loved. But the extinction of these species would not lead to ecological collapse of planet earth. By contrast the impact of extinction of bees is hard to overstate. Specifically, 90% of all plants worldwide are pollenated by animals with the most common pollinator being the bees. So, bee extinction would result in the loss of almost all plants on earth. Not only do plants provide the basis of most ecosystems in terms of providing food and habitat plants are the lungs of the earth converting carbon dioxide into oxygen. Farming, of course, is reliant on bees. For example, pollination via the honeybee
alone in Australia has a com- impact of native bees on native bees’ habitat on their mercial value of $4-6 billion commercial crops is still farm. in Australia, $240 billion under researched, buzz polli- Bee Threats worldwide. Seventy-five per- nators are particularly intercent of food crops rely on esting commercially. Buzz The significance of bee for animal pollination. Australian pollinators vibrate their pollination and thus life on honey and bees wax are whole body while clinging to earth cannot be exaggerated, worth $90 million per year. flowers. As such they are yet worldwide bees are under So, combined with the sale much more effective pollina- threat. Specifically, the probof bee keeping products tors and give crops such as lems include insecticides, clihoneybees are worth up to tomatoes, capsicum, egg- mate change, disease, habitat just under $7 billion to the plant, chilli and blueberries change and introduced speAustralian economy each significantly higher yields. cies. year. Thus, some farmers are The introduction of cheap Australia also exports keeping hives of native bees and available broad-specabout 40% of honey and our as well as actively promoting trum pesticides has benefitannual honey and beeswax which commands a premium price due to its ‘clean Servicing Warwick, Stanthorpe and Beyond green’ credentials. Made from Bluescope Australian Steel In Australia while honFULL SERVICE - SLAB, ERECTION & COUNCIL eybees are the primary •Acreage Sheds pollinator of commercial plants, native bees are also •Farm Sheds significant. Partially this (07) is 46 619 835 •Garages because having multiple E warwick@rfsteelbuildings.com.au QBCC: 1197750 l NSW: 237076C pollinators increases polliE warwick@rfsteelbuildings.com.au nation rates. While the
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