While bees travel from flower to flower collecting nectar and pollen to produce honey, they also make significant contributions to the pollination of plant species. Without bees, the continuity of plant species, and if species disappear, the future of humanity, is at great risk!
The pollination event, called "pollination" in plants, is vital in ensuring the continuity of species. This largely occurs through creatures called "pollinators." Bees, known as a completely nature-friendly insect species, play a leading role in natural pollination as the most active pollinators. However, environmental pollution and unconscious use of agricultural pesticides endanger the lives of bees, along with many other pollinators. This threat, both directly and indirectly, paves the way for major problems, including the complete extinction of plant species.
What is Pollination?
Pollination refers to the transfer of pollen grains produced in the male floral organs of a plant species to the stigma of female flowers. It can be quite difficult to distinguish pollen from dust particles when they are airborne. The fact that pollination is commonly known as "tozlaşma" (dusting) in Turkish also stems from the small, dust-like, and light structure of pollen.
What are the Types of Pollination?
Pollination is divided into two basic forms: natural and artificial. Artificial pollination is usually carried out by humans to sustain plants grown in enclosed environments. Natural pollination, on the other hand, occurs in two different ways under natural conditions: self-pollination and cross-pollination. In self-pollination, fertilization occurs between the male and female organs of the same flower. Pollination that occurs between different flowers of the same plant species is called cross-pollination. Thanks to cross-pollination provided by bees, the efficiency and quality of production increase significantly. The reason why bees play an important role in plant production is seen as a result of the efficient cross-pollination they provide.
Pollination Stages Step by Step
Regardless of whether it is natural or artificial, pollination in plants occurs in the following sequence:
- Pollen found in the male flower sticks to the part called the "stigma" in the female flower.
- Then, the pollen grain forms a tube and descends to the ovary through a thin channel called the "style."
- After the resulting fertilization, an embryo is formed.
- As the embryo grows and develops, seed and fruit production occurs.
All these processes can occur through both living factors (primarily bees) and inanimate factors such as wind or water.
How Does Wind Pollination Occur?
Spring, as is known, is the period when plants bloom, meaning nature comes back to life after its winter sleep. Wind pollination occurs especially during these times of the year. As the weather begins to warm up, colliding warm and cold air currents turn into strong winds. This allows pollen from male flowers to mix with the air, making pollination possible.
How Does Water Pollination Occur?
Pollination by water does not occur in terrestrial plants but only among aquatic plants. This type of pollination, which takes place from the source to sea level in rivers, is carried out by currents in bodies of water such as lakes and seas.
How Does Animal Pollination Occur?
Among the types of pollination, one of the most impactful is undoubtedly pollination through animals. Every species that collects nectar and pollen as a food source contributes to pollination. In fact, research shows that 90% of pollination in the world occurs thanks to animals. Although mammals and bird species also play a part in this, insects take on the most important role in the pollination of flowers. Among these species, called pollinator insects, bees alone account for 70% of pollination.
What is the Importance of Bees in Pollination?
Bees are known as one of the rare creatures that feed on flowers but do not harm plants in any way. In fact, the colorfulness of flowers and their nectar secretion are fundamentally based on the need to attract insects and bees. While flowers offer a bit of nectar and pollen to insects and bees, they themselves are pollinated and thus fertilized in the process. This mutually beneficial relationship between flowers and insects has continued for millions of years. In short, flowers need bees, and bees need flowers. On the other hand, bees, by providing cross-pollination, increase the yield and quality of plants; they also contribute to the natural improvement of plant species.
Significant Pollination Rates Provided by Bees
Of the 82 food varieties that account for 90% of global food consumption, a large proportion are grown primarily through bees. Bees, which have a total share of 63% in the pollination of these plants, can exceed this rate significantly, especially for some frequently consumed plant varieties. According to a study conducted in the USA; while dependence on insect pollination in almond production is 100%, 100% of these insect species are honey bees. Therefore, 1-1.5 million honey bee colonies are rented annually by almond growers alone in the USA to ensure sufficient pollination. Pollination rates can reach significant figures such as 100% for apples; 100%/90% for broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, onions, sunflowers; and 90% for cherries.
What are the Main Reasons for Pollination Being at Risk?
Without bees, plant species' productivity is projected to decrease by up to 90%. This indicates that these tiny creatures, perhaps without even realizing it, are as important as fertilizer and water in agricultural activities! Consequently, many human interventions, especially the chemicals used in agriculture, can lead to bees moving away from their natural habitats and, therefore, a decrease in crop yield. The factors threatening pollinators are not limited to the widespread use of pesticides and industrial agriculture. Problems such as regional habitat and climate change also have a significant impact on the reduction of pollination! So now, let's take a closer look at the main negative factors in this regard:
Climate Change
Climate change is the biggest factor negatively affecting pollination. This radical change in nature affects not only pollination but also soil, water, animal migration routes, natural flora diversity, and human life entirely. This situation, mainly developing due to global warming, also arises as a result of the Earth's axial shift and magma activity.
Chemical Sprays
As consumption needs increase, getting more yield per unit area in agriculture becomes even more important. For this reason, various agricultural pesticides are used to protect against insects, which are one of the biggest factors damaging crops. This ensures the protection of the crop during the spraying period. However, the eradication or displacement of various pollinators, especially honey bees, due to spraying, results in a decrease in pollination and, consequently, long-term yield.
Transition to Industrial Agriculture
The increasing global demand for food necessitates not only the protection of crops in fields but also the large-scale expansion of agricultural activities. Industrial agriculture is preferred as one of the easiest ways to achieve this. This type of production, referred to as intensive farming, involves the use of machinery and chemicals in agriculture, as well as some genetic interventions. Since plants undergo chemical and biological changes in industrial agriculture, the natural conditions that enable pollination largely disappear.
Habitat Loss
Habitat loss refers to the disruption of the integrity of natural areas rich in flora and fauna diversity. This situation, which can be caused by natural disasters such as fires, as well as road and construction works, dramatically and negatively affects the lives of plants and animals in the region. Especially as a result of pollinator species abandoning their natural habitats, negative changes occur in the pollination activities in the region.
Despite all this, what needs to be done today is actually just to remember the value of nature again! But on the condition that we don't delay any longer…
