Let's save our wild bees: This is how we protect the important pollinators!

Let's save our wild bees: This is how we protect the important pollinators!

The survival of wild bees is in jeopardy. There has been an alarming decline in many bee species in recent decades. The decline is reflected in the red lists, which further underlines the need for effective protective measures. Fundamental to wild bee protection is the preservation of their habitats, which must include food sources as well as nesting places and building materials. One of the main causes of endangerment for these essential pollinators is the destruction and degradation of their habitats, which ultimately threatens food production.

Wild bees need a diverse and structured environment to thrive. A mosaic of flowering areas, hedges, open areas and dead wood is crucial for their survival. Perennial, natural flowering strips along fields as well as unmown field paths and flowering islands in the garden offer vital resources. Wild bees find special retreats in local trees such as wild roses, piles of stones and clay walls. Staggered flowering throughout the year is also important to ensure a continuous source of food.

Preservation and maintenance of habitats

The urgently needed protection of wild bees is not only a question of nature conservation, but also a prerequisite for maintaining biodiversity. Habitat types such as coastal dunes, poor grasslands and old quarries require strict area protection. The maintenance of these habitats is also important in order to take into account the needs of the fauna, especially wild bees. Technical means such as chainsaws and brush cutters are necessary to secure open land and create soil disturbances, which are crucial for the reproduction and survival of many bee species.

The EU has responded to this problem and set new targets for 2030 as part of the biodiversity strategy. At least 30% of the EU's marine and terrestrial areas should be protected, with a particular focus on pristine ecosystems. It also calls for a review of the EU Pollinators Initiative to create a new framework for monitoring and protecting pollinators. Concrete measures should support and promote biological diversity in urban areas too.

Implementing cost-effective measures to promote wild bees is often straightforward and can ultimately increase agricultural yields. Recommendations for 34 different crops and corresponding measures are compiled in the “Practical Handbook on Crop Pollination – Increasing Yields by Promoting Biodiversity”. Avoiding plowing in favor of methods such as cultivators can also create nesting sites for ground-nesting species.

Threat to food production

The decline of pollinators is increasingly seen as a threat not only to biodiversity but also to global food security. At least 25% of agricultural land should be farmed organically by 2030 in order to promote sustainable agriculture. A reduction in the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers is also necessary.

The preservation of habitats and the promotion of wild bees are inextricably linked. Only through active action can we ensure that these indispensable pollinators are not further endangered and that the basis for our food supply is preserved. Let’s protect our wild bees, let’s protect our harvests.

University of Freiburg reports that wild bees are crucial for pollinating our crops. Wildbees.info points out that the destruction of their habitats is the main cause of endangerment. The European Parliament highlights the importance of a biodiversity strategy to halt the decline of pollinators.