Bees. The so-called-villains of summer. They are what sting us, what hurt us, and what make us ache. They ruin our picnics, our gardens, and our days at the park. We are quick to blame them for ruined afternoons outside. But our disdain has led us to ignorance of their importance. Because they are actually secret heroes– silently holding ecosystems together. We have misjudged these vital creatures for years. Hating them for their noises and intrusion. We kill them out of fear, believing it’s either that or be attacked first. Pop culture has endlessly stereotyped them, making individuals fear the worst. The truth is that fear is deeply rooted in our misunderstanding of them.
Bees essentially act as the engineers of the ecosystem. They are pollinators, responsible for the reproduction of ¾ of flowering plants, they hold a mighty job that supports biodiversity by holding up the entire food web and ensures healthy soil and forests. ⅓ of our food source is reliant on them and they contribute to environmental stability. Bees are the very foundation of countless ecosystems by providing resources for every living being.
They are an indicator species, meaning that if there is a decline in their population it is a signal for greater environmental harm on the rise. The severity of their disappearance is severe. Food sources would fall drastic heights and result in prices skyrocketing for basic necessities. Entire ecosystems would crumble under their loss. The very presence of bees equals the appearance of food. Without a reliance on natural resources like them, we would have to turn to artificial conditions.
As important as bees are, a looming force threatens them. Humans have slowly begun to decimate their population through destruction. Their habitats have become lost in skyscrapers, they are poisoned from pesticides, and they are losing to the change of climate.
It is time to give back to these creatures. We can aid by planting more native flowers and avoiding the spread of pesticides. The best way to rid these creatures is through contact with local beekeepers. It is time to spread awareness of their importance. It is time to spread the awareness of wasps versus bees. Protect their livelihoods not the industries.
They are one of the most essential species on Earth and should be treated like the heroes they are. Bees are an example of the real effort it takes to aid our world and that working as one symbiote is the best way to bring us to salvation.
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