Hey there! I’m here to tell you about an amazing way we can help save bees, inspired by a video from MinuteEarth. Let’s dive into the world of bees and see how we can make a difference!
Every spring in California, almond trees burst into bloom all at once. This is great for almond lovers, but it’s a big job for local bees to pollinate all those flowers. To help out, almond farmers bring in bees from all over the country just when the trees start to flower. This might sound a bit strange, but it’s super important because crops like almonds, which need bees to pollinate them, are worth a whopping $17 billion each year! This is a win-win for farmers and beekeepers, who often make more money renting out their bees than selling honey.
However, bringing so many bees together can spread parasites and diseases among them. Plus, when bees only have one type of crop to feed on, they might miss out on important vitamins and minerals. Pesticides used to protect crops can also harm bees. Since 1960, the number of commercial bees in the U.S. has dropped by half. This is a big problem because many crops depend on bees for pollination, and if bee numbers keep falling, it could affect our food supply in the future.
Thankfully, people are working hard to help bees. Beekeepers and farmers are teaming up to reduce bees’ exposure to harmful pesticides. Non-profits and bee lovers are planting wildflowers to give bees a varied diet. Universities are also breeding bees that can resist parasites and diseases.
One exciting method involves using propolis, a natural substance made by bees. In the wild, bees use propolis to keep their nests clean and safe from intruders. They make it by collecting tree resins, which are full of healthy compounds, and mixing them with wax to create a sticky, germ-fighting glue. In commercial hives, bees usually use propolis just to seal gaps, possibly because the hive walls are too smooth.
To encourage bees to use more propolis, beekeepers are trying out rough, unfinished wood for hives or adding plastic pieces with holes. This helps bees stay healthy so they can keep pollinating crops and making honey.
This effort is supported by the University of Minnesota, where students and staff are tackling big challenges like sustainable food production. In the Department of Entomology, Professor Marla Spivak and her team at the Bee Lab are working hard to protect and improve the health of both wild and commercial bees. They’ve even developed a line of honey bees that can resist diseases!
Thanks to the University of Minnesota for their amazing work!
Design a small garden plan that includes a variety of flowers and plants that attract bees. Research which plants are best for providing bees with a balanced diet and draw your garden layout. Share your design with the class and explain why you chose each plant.
Gather materials like bamboo sticks, wooden blocks, and clay pots to create a bee hotel. This will provide a safe place for solitary bees to nest. Document the building process with photos or a video, and present your bee hotel to the class, explaining how it helps local bee populations.
Conduct research on propolis and its benefits for bee health. Create a presentation or poster that explains how propolis is made, its uses in the hive, and how beekeepers can encourage its production. Present your findings to the class.
In groups, create a short skit that depicts a day in the life of a bee. Include challenges like finding food, avoiding pesticides, and dealing with parasites. Perform your skit for the class and discuss what you learned about the difficulties bees face.
Prepare a list of questions and interview a local beekeeper about their practices and how they help protect bees. Record the interview or take notes, and share what you learned with the class. Discuss any surprising information or tips for helping bees thrive.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Hi, this is Alex from MinuteEarth. Each spring in California, many almond trees bloom simultaneously, making it difficult for local bees to pollinate them all. To address this, almond farmers hire beekeepers to bring bees from across the country right when the trees flower. This may seem unusual, but bee-pollinated crops, like almonds, are valued at $17 billion annually, making it beneficial for both farmers and beekeepers, who often earn more by renting out their bees than by selling honey.
However, gathering so many bees can lead to the spread of parasites and diseases among colonies. Additionally, when bees feed on a single type of crop, they may not receive all the necessary vitamins and minerals. Pesticides used to protect crops from other insects can also harm honeybees. Consequently, since 1960, the number of commercial bees in the U.S. has decreased by half. With many crops relying on bees for pollination and farmers increasing crop production to meet demand, a continued decline in bee populations could threaten our future food supply.
Fortunately, efforts are underway to support bee populations. Beekeepers and farmers are collaborating to minimize bees’ exposure to pesticides. Non-profits and bee enthusiasts are planting more wildflowers to provide a diverse diet for both commercial and wild bees. Additionally, universities are working on breeding bees that are resistant to parasites and diseases.
One promising approach involves using propolis, a natural substance that honeybees produce. In the wild, bees apply propolis inside their nests to sanitize them and deter intruders. To create propolis, bees collect resins from trees, which are rich in flavonoids and aromatic acids, and mix them with wax to form a sticky, antibiotic glue. While bees in commercial hives also produce propolis, they typically use it only to seal gaps and may not apply it to the hive walls, likely due to the smoother surfaces.
To encourage bees to spread more propolis, beekeepers are starting to use rough, unfinished lumber for hives or adding plastic pieces with holes to the walls. This approach helps bees stay healthy, allowing them to continue pollinating crops and producing honey.
This video was sponsored by the University of Minnesota, where students, faculty, and staff from various fields are addressing significant societal challenges. One of these challenges is ensuring sustainable food production, which involves fostering ecosystem resilience. In the Department of Entomology, Professor Marla Spivak and her team in the Bee Lab are dedicated to promoting the conservation, health, and diversity of both wild and commercial bees that pollinate our crops. The Bee Lab has even developed a line of disease-resistant honey bees.
Thank you, University of Minnesota!
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This version maintains the core information while ensuring clarity and readability.
Bees – Insects that are known for their role in pollination and producing honey. – Bees are essential for pollinating many of the crops we eat, including fruits and vegetables.
Pollination – The process by which pollen is transferred from the male part of a plant to the female part, allowing plants to reproduce. – Without pollination, many plants would not be able to produce seeds or fruit.
Pesticides – Chemicals used to kill or control pests that can damage crops and plants. – Farmers often use pesticides to protect their crops from insects and other pests.
Almonds – Edible seeds of the almond tree, which require pollination by bees to grow. – Almonds are a popular snack and are also used to make almond milk and other products.
Wildflowers – Flowers that grow naturally in the wild, often providing food and habitat for pollinators like bees. – Planting wildflowers in your garden can help support local bee populations.
Propolis – A sticky substance collected by bees from tree buds and used to seal and protect their hives. – Propolis has antibacterial properties and helps keep the bee hive healthy.
Parasites – Organisms that live on or in a host organism and get their food from or at the expense of their host. – Some parasites can harm bees by weakening their immune systems and spreading diseases.
Diseases – Disorders or illnesses that affect living organisms, often caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. – Bees can suffer from diseases that spread quickly through a hive, affecting their ability to pollinate plants.
Food – Substances consumed by organisms to provide energy and nutrients for growth and maintenance. – Bees collect nectar and pollen from flowers as their primary sources of food.
Environment – The surrounding conditions in which an organism lives, including air, water, and other living things. – Protecting the environment is crucial for maintaining healthy ecosystems and biodiversity.
