Forests and Bees Need Each Other

Honeybees have become a hot topic for bee enthusiasts and environmentalists alike. These pollinating masters have captured the hearts of Americans, and their inconvenient swarm locations, including baseball fields and plane wings, continue to make headlines and trending social media posts. It is undeniable that bees are vital to our ecosystems and the economy. Our forests also need bees to help maintain balance in the ecosystem, which is why they continue to receive recognition for their contributions.

Honeybees not only produce delicious honey, but they also help pollinate food crops across the nation and world. Annually, bees are brought to the California almond groves to begin the pollination process. Bees are responsible for the significant number of fresh fruits and vegetables we enjoy every day. In addition to their role in food production and keeping trees, plants, and flowers blooming, they also have a critical role in our forests. There are more than 4,000 species of bees native to the United States, and those bees live in vast fields, beachside towns, mountainous regions, and desert landscapes.

Forest Ecosystems and Bees

Since bees pollinate flowers and flowering plants, they are an essential player in flora reproduction and crops. The wind magnifies bees' efforts as it carries pollen from plant to plant and plant to animal. Bees are not the only pollinator, and are in good company with other forest pollinators. Together, they keep forests growing and thriving. In addition to butterflies, bats, moths, and bees being responsible for pollinating plants, they also play a significant role in a forest's natural regeneration. Maple trees, Willows, Cherry trees, and sycamore trees are only a few that are native in the United States and rely on bees to help keep them alive!

The Bear and the Bees

There is a known relationship between bears and beehives, and bears that live in forests. Bears are drawn to the scent of beehives, and not just for the honey, no matter how much Winnie the Pooh seemed to have his hand in the jar! Larvae and brood are very nutritious for these giant brown and black carnivores! Bees in their natural environment are under threat from bears and other predators as well as diseases, but this is the natural order of things in forests. Bees may also make a hive in a fallen tree, using the tree as shelter. It is an incredible thing to witness bees in their natural environment in the forest. They work tirelessly to provide for the queen and make sure all baby broods are well fed! Worker bees never stop, while the queen’s only role is to make more babies!

Depleting Diversity of Plants

In an uninterrupted environment, bees had their run of choices as far as plants and flowers to collect pollen. Today, with the impact of human development and activity, choices are fewer. This reduction and depletion of diversity in pollen choices will ultimately lead to fewer options for foods and plant reproduction.

One thing that individuals can do is plant a variety of flowering plants. Variety is the spice of life! Having things that can bloom at different times of the year allows bees to continue foraging. A healthy hive is less vulnerable to mite infestations that can decimate a colony.

Forests Protect Bees

Forest canopies are not only breathtaking to see, but they also provide shelter from the weather to bees and other pollinators. Mature forests can shade and keep wind out to allow bees to continue to forage. Once bees stop foraging, they must survive on what they have collected and stored. Those who work in forestry can provide insight into safe and effective treatments for insects if you use them.