World Bee Day
Every May 20th, World Bee Day is celebrated, a day intended to raise awareness about the importance of these pollinators in the health of the planet, food security, and biodiversity conservation.
In this context, Samantha Ríos, associate researcher at the University of Azuay, highlights the fundamental role that bees play in ecosystems. They are essential for pollination, a key process for the reproduction of many plant species, including numerous varieties of crops that are part of our daily diet.
However, today bees face multiple threats that jeopardize their survival. Among the most critical factors is the intensive use of pesticides, which severely affects their health and navigational abilities. Added to this is the introduction of non-native species, such as the honeybee. Although the latter is valuable for agricultural production, it can compete with native species and displace more sensitive or specialized ones.
Another major challenge is the deforestation of native plants. Many bees maintain close relationships with specific plant species; if these disappear, so do the bees that depend on them for food and reproduction, Ríos points out.
Given this situation, the researcher mentions that education is a key tool to reverse the trend. Schools can become true agents of change. If we approach this issue through science and data, students will understand this issue from an early age and grow up with a deeper awareness of biodiversity, says Ríos.
Beyond the theoretical content, Ríos proposes promoting practical initiatives, such as creating school gardens, planting native plants, and installing shelters for solitary bees. These actions not only strengthen active learning but also generate a positive impact on the local environment.
On this World Bee Day, let's talk more about them, but let's do so through knowledge, through science. Only then can we protect them effectively. Bee conservation is not the exclusive responsibility of specialists. It's a collective responsibility that begins with information, is reinforced through education, and is realized through conscious and sustainable actions.
