On May 20th is World Bee Day. On this occasion, experts report how game and honey bees are doing in Germany and worldwide and how their stocks develop. What is done in Germany for the relaxation of the bee stocks and what can each of us do to create habitats for bees?
In addition to the honeybees (APIS Mellifera) kept by humans as a farm animal, wild bees (Apoidea) are also important for us and nature. Because they pollinate plants and thus contribute to their spread and biodiversity. They also secure our diet by pollinating fruit and vegetables and thus improving the amount and quality of the fruits. “Around 75 percent of our fruit, vegetable and oil seed cultures are at least partially dependent on pollinators-wild bees play a particularly important role,” says Alexandra-Maria Klein from the University of Freiburg.
The numerous wild bee species are adapted to different environmental conditions and complement the work of the honeybees. “For example, bumblebees fly even in cool, windy or slightly rainy weather when honeybees restrict their activity. Long -trunked bumblebee species in turn can pollinate deep flowers like those of the garden bean – a task that often fails on honey bees,” explains Klein.
Wild bees looking for food
But in contrast to the honeybees, wild bees are extremely picky. “Often they collect nectar only in a few or even only on a single plant. If this type of plant is missing, there is also no such type of wild bee,” explains veterinarian Ilka Emmerich from the University of Leipzig.
This selective choice of feed threatens wild bees worldwide. Of the approximately 600 acquaintances in Germany, 40 species have already extended and more than half have endangered, as Emmerich reports. Of the approximately 2,000 wild bee species in Europe and more than 20,000 worldwide, more and more are also on the red list of endangered animal species. “Many threatened the status,” says Emmerich’s colleague Julia Dittes. “The reasons for this are diverse and man -made.”
Threat by humans
In particular, intensive agriculture with monocultures and pesticides lead to the range of natural habitats with flowering plants and nesting places for wild bees. “The clearing of forests and the urbanization in many countries on earth also destroy habitats and lead to insect death, not only the wild bees are affected,” says Dittes. The honey bees have to deal with the same problems. However, they are also threatened by improper attitude.
“Beekeepers are still very popular and always finds new enthusiasts as a natural hobby,” says Emmerich. There are many honey bee colonies in Germany with around one million, but it happens that keepers do not report them to the veterinary office or the animal disease fund and do not really take care of the insects. “If the peoples then fall over to transferable diseases, surrounding beekeeping are also at risk, and targeted control measures are made more difficult,” said Emmerich.
How can you protect bees?
In order to increase the number of wild bees again, their food and nesting places must increase again. “As humans, we have to finally start not only preserving habitats, but also back. Everyone can make a contribution with simple measures – for example by creating flowering areas, creating nesting options with versatile insect hotels, sealing fewer areas or allowing a wild corner in the garden,” explains Dittes.
In a bee -friendly garden or next to a dirt road, ideally blooms over the year at any time or more. “Wild bees need food, nesting places and diverse landscape structures – ideally everything as close as possible. That is why a mosaic of flower areas, hedges, open floor places and dead wood is decisive,” adds Klein. “Such measures can be implemented with relatively little effort – and often bring more than many thinking.”
If you don’t have a garden, you can also get involved in local hands -on activities to protect the bees. The “Bee forest of Saxony“For example, creates new habitats for bees and other threatened insect species that also take the challenges of climate change.“ The initiative ‘Germany buzzes‘Absoles the idea of bee protection across Germany and promotes various projects for creating flower meadows, ”says Emmerich.
Sources: University of Leipzig, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg im Breisgau
