pollinators are powerful players in permaculture.
Pollinators are insects and animals that carry pollen from one plant to another for fertilization.
Only pollinated plants can make fruit and/or seeds. Without them, the plants cannot reproduce.
Pollinators contribute $500 billion a year to global food production.
Since 2006, US beekeepers have reported honey bee colony loss rates of 30% each year.
Bee populations in the United States are declining at a rapid, unprecedented rate. Native bee species are absolutely suffering as well. Yet most unfortunately, there is not enough research on native bee decline to determine how the severity of their suffering.
1 in every 3 bites of food depends on bee pollination.
Monarch butterflies have declined by 90% in the last 20 years.
Yes, NINETY percent.
So, why are they disappearing?
Conversion of natural habitat to row crops.
Heavy pesticide use.
Climate change.
Disease due to decreased immunity.