The Buzz about Bees: Their Crucial Role in Agriculture
Nurturing Nature's Workers: Strategies for Supporting our Bees đ
In the intricate (and important) part of our ecosystem, bees play a pivotal role, particularly in agriculture and environmental sustainability. âSustainabilityâ being the responsible use of resources and practices that minimise or eliminate harm to the natural environment, ensuring its health and viability for future generations.
Hey, these small, buzzing creatures are responsible for pollinating a significant portion of the world's crops, making them indispensable for food production and biodiversity.
Letâs take a step back (in time)
Ancient civilisations held bees in high regard, often viewing them as sacred creatures associated with deities and spirituality.
Bees were seen as symbols of industry, community, and divine order. These civilisations saw bees as integral parts of their natural world, often incorporating them into their religious beliefs and practices.
When last did you stop to take the time to quietly observe the busy work of a bee in your garden, in a park, in the countryside, or during a walk through an orchard?
The San people of Southern Africa have a deep connection to nature and would have likely revered bees. Although specific historical records or accounts might be limited, bees would surely have been an important part of their world, or at the very least play an important part in the tales of revered creatures passed down from generation to generation.
In ancient Egypt, bees were associated with the goddess Neith, who was often depicted with the bee as her symbol. Bees were also linked to the afterlife, with honey being used in religious ceremonies and tombs to provide sustenance for the deceased on their journey to the afterlife.
The ancient Greeks revered bees for their social organization and work ethic, viewing them as models of civic virtue. They believed that bees were messengers between the human and divine worlds, and honey was often offered to the gods in religious rituals.
Romans also admired bees for their industriousness and organisation. They used honey in cooking, medicine, and religious ceremonies. Bees were associated with the goddess Venus and were depicted on coins as symbols of prosperity.
The ancient Maya of Central America considered bees to be sacred creatures and associated them with the god Ah-Muzen-Cab, the god of bees and honey. Bees were also seen as symbols of fertility and abundance.
In ancient Chinese culture, bees were associated with harmony, prosperity, and good luck, and even that bees were messengers of the gods; often depicted in art and literature as symbols of diligence and cooperation.Â
Overall, ancient civilisations respected and honoured bees for their remarkable characteristics and the valuable products they provided, such as honey and beeswax - perhaps something the modern world has largely lost - honey taken for granted, and the little workers that produce it, even more so. Â
The Importance of Bees in Agriculture
Pollination is the process by which plants reproduce, and bees are among the most effective pollinators out there. They transfer pollen from the male part of the flower (anther) to the female part (stigma), enabling fertilisation and the production of fruit, and seeds.
In agriculture, bees are essential for the pollination of crops such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Without bees, many of these crops would not produce fruit, leading to lower yields and potential food shortages. Some crops, like almonds, cherries, and apples, are heavily dependent on bees for pollination, highlighting the critical role these insects play in our food system.
While crucial for the reproduction of many flowering plants, including a vast array of food crops, modern cultivars are increasingly self-pollinated, or are cultivated en masse with âpollinator treesâ whereby farmers strategically utilise different cultivars to enhance cross-pollination occurrences for increased yields (all things being equal - which oftentimes they are not).
The Role of Cultivar Diversity in Fruit Tree Orchards
Youâd be mistaken to think that âmore beesâ would be the only option for enhanced pollination.
Utilising strategically different cultivars in fruit tree orchards can significantly enhance pollination and improve fruit yield and quality.Â
By planting cultivars that bloom at different times or have varying flower structures, orchards can ensure a more extended and diverse pollination period, increasing the chances of successful cross-pollination. We see this approach applied at scale in areas such as apple, avocado, and more recently macadamia orchards, to great effect. Â
This approach of âinterplantingâ or strategically planting blocks or pairs of rows made up of certain cultivars, right next door to one another, can be particularly beneficial for fruit trees that are partially self-incompatible, meaning they require pollen from a genetically different tree for optimal fruit set.Â
Additionally, planting a mix of cultivars can attract a wider range of pollinators in general (bees included of course) increasing the overall efficiency of pollination and promoting biodiversity in the orchard ecosystem.
Honey Bees in the Macadamia Industry
The macadamia industry specifically provides an excellent example of the symbiotic relationship between bees and agriculture.Â
Simply put, macadamia trees rely on bees for pollination to produce nuts. Honey bees, in particular, are crucial for pollinating macadamia flowers, and do this well, as they efficiently collect pollen while foraging for nectar.Â
Howlett et al. (2019) conducted research on the pollination of macadamia trees, which are partially self-incompatible and benefit from cross-pollination to improve yields. Their study found strong evidence for self-pollination in macadamia, but their research also showed that hand cross-pollination significantly increased nut set and produced more developed nuts compared to open-pollinated or self-pollinated racemes.
Professor Wallace of Griffith University further demonstrated the yield benefits of cross-pollination by hand-pollinating trees with pollen from a different cultivar, resulting in significant increases in yield per hectare.Â
The research suggests that while self-pollination can occur in macadamia, optimising yield potential requires a combination of strategies to maximise cross-pollination, such as (yes, you guessed itâŚ) planting different cultivars together in orchards, and smart orchard design, to name a few. Â
Managing an orchard made of multiple cultivars, especially where trees differ in growth habit, or in requirements, is a whole different kettle of fish to contend with, and an interesting topic in on itself - something that would be good to explore in a future article, and an area of orchard management I touch on in my upcoming book on utilising drone derived data and AI-backed software to optimise macadamia production at scale.Â
Supporting Bee Populations
To support bee populations, farmers can take several measuresâŚ.
One effective approach is the promotion of wild spaces on or near agricultural land. Also called âLand Sparingâ, itâs the art of consciously portioning off land not required for food production, for it to be used to retain or restore tracts of natural habitat. This approach promotes the growth of wildflowers and native flora, which provide bees with food and ample habitat, enhancing their overall wellbeing.
Additionally, providing homes for bee colonies alongside year-round foraging opportunities, in close proximity to wild spaces or strategic plantings of cover crops, green manures, or inter-plantings that might provide food for pollinators and other beneficial insects does well to support local populations.Â
One organisation in South Africa in particular that is doing a fantastic job at doing exactly that, is Honeybee Heroes.
Through their flagship Adopt-a-Hive programme, Honeybee Heroes are creating a direct pipeline for eco-minded individuals to get involved in South Africaâs species conservation efforts, by placing (and caring for) safe, permanent homes for South African honey bees on farms and private nature reserves countrywide.
You can also donate to the cause.
Every contribution directly supports their efforts in bee conservation.
Expert beekeepers manage the hives using strictly ethical beekeeping practices, encouraging organic colony growth for more healthy, happy honeybees.
Reducing Chemical Impact on Bee Populations
Reducing the use of pesticides and herbicides can help protect bees from harmful chemicals that negatively impact their overall health, and disrupt their behaviour, and reproductive cycles.
Reducing chemical use in agriculture is a crucial step in supporting bee populations, where substances can often harm them directly, or indirectly by reducing the availability of their common food sources.Â
In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the need to minimise chemical use to alleviate pressure on bee populations.
For example, in South Africa, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development has implemented guidelines for the responsible use of pesticides, emphasising the importance of using chemicals only when absolutely necessary and in ways that minimise harm to non-target organisms such as bees.Â
Similarly, in the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has introduced measures to protect pollinators, including bees, by reviewing and regulating the use of certain pesticides known to be harmful to them.Â
In Australia, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has also taken steps to mitigate risks to bees from pesticide exposure, including requiring risk assessments for pesticides that may pose a threat to pollinators.Â
All these efforts highlight the importance of reducing chemical use and implementing responsible practices to safeguard bee populations.
Technologies for Supporting Bee Populations
Technological advancements have also provided farmers with tools to support bee populations.Â
For example, precision agriculture techniques are helping farmers to optimise the use of available resources, reducing their impact on bee habitats and populations.
On the input reductions front, using drones equipped with agriculture specific sensors paired (with advanced software and cloud-based platforms) are able to help farmers monitor crop health and reduce their reliance on chemical treatments that are harming bees, by allowing for Variable Rate Applications (VRA) which means the right amount of application is used where itâs needed most, or in varying degrees.
Check out the Aerobotics customer stories section on their website, where youâll find a collection of VRA examples and case studies.Â
In addition to drone-derived insights, farmers are also making use of technologies such as:
Smart Beehives: Companies like ApisProtect and BeeHero offer smart beehive monitoring systems that use sensors to collect data on hive conditions such as temperature, humidity, and sound levels. This data can help beekeepers monitor hive health and detect issues early.
Hive Monitoring Equipment: Devices such as BroodMinder provide beekeepers with real-time data on hive conditions, including temperature, humidity, and hive weight. This information can help beekeepers make informed decisions about hive management.
Beehive Placement Software: Tools like BeeScanning and the team at BeeSafe use data on local flora, weather conditions, and beehive health to help beekeepers optimise hive placement for maximum pollination and honey production.
Pollination Drones: Companies like Dropcopter are developing drones that can actually be used to pollinate crops, supplementing the work of natural pollinators like bees, where populations are under significant pressure. How scalable and effective this strategy might be remains to be seen, although thereâs been positive results for this type of drone use in date palm orchards.
Bee-Friendly Farming Apps: Apps like BeeMapp (BEEHAVE) and the BeeSmart app provide farmers and enthusiasts with information on how to create bee-friendly habitats on their land, such as planting bee-friendly crops and reducing pesticide use.
Circular Economy and Permaculture Principles
Adopting principles of the circular economy and other theoretical frameworks such as permaculture can further support bee populations.Â
These principles emphasise sustainable practices that minimise waste and promote biodiversity. For example, using organic farming methods and incorporating diverse crops can create healthy ecosystems that benefit bees and other pollinators.
Speaking about biodiversity⌠If you havenât seen the movie âThe Biggest Little Farmâ, do yourself a favour and carve out some time to watch it!
In closing, Iâd like to reiterate that bees are essential for agriculture and all sustainability focused efforts. Their role in pollination is vital for food production. Supporting and encouraging biodiversity is of paramount importance, crucial to bee-related conservation efforts.
By supporting bee populations through various means, including promoting wild spaces, adopting sustainable practices, and leveraging current technologies and those yet to come, farmers will be able to proactively contribute to the preservation of these invaluable little insects, so often overlooked.Â
Further reading:
Cross-Pollination Benefits in Macadamias - Red Sun Hortitech: https://redsunhort.com/2023/10/13/cross-pollination-benefits-in-macadamias/
AMS Podcast Episode 4: Pollination in macadamias â the latest research - Australian Macadamia Society: