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Pollinating insects are exposed to a number of threats. Now they need our help.

Pollinators feed the world - now they need our help

Pollinating insects play an important role in terrestrial ecosystems and are essential for national and global food production.

Communications Adviser
Presented by: NIBIO - Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research
Published

Almost 90 per cent of the world's wild plants depend on pollinators. In addition, as many as 75 per cent of cultivated plant species need pollinators, including many fruit and vegetable varieties.

Unfortunately, pollinating insects are exposed to a number of threats, e.g. land-use changes in agriculture, urban development, infrastructure, climate change, alien invasive species, and the use of pesticides.

Today, one third of wild bee species are under threat. However, all is not lost. There are numerous things that can be done to make life easier for these vital insects, both at a national and regional level. Not least, we can help them locally, for example by planting insect-friendly plants in our gardens.

In a new video, NIBIO presents some ways in which we can create good living conditions for our pollinating friends.

“One of the main reasons for pollinator decline is the loss of habitats, for example due to changes in the agricultural landscape,” says NIBIO researcher Dr. Svenja B. Kroeger.

“The optimal habitat for pollinators is flower rich. By providing pollinators with wildflower strips, for example between fields, we can ensure food and shelter for a wide range of insects.”

The optimal habitat for pollinating insects is flower rich.

NIBIO is committed to pollinators

NIBIO is actively involved in both national and international projects investigating the condition of pollinators and their habitats. The ecosystem services they provide are also of great interest.

“What we want to gain more knowledge on, among other things, is how urbanization affects the diversity of pollinators,” says Dr. Marie Vestergaard Henriksen, researcher at NIBIO's department for cultural landscapes and biodiversity.

“We are also concerned with how to best manage the pollinators’ existing habitats, and how we can create new habitats.”

By providing pollinators with wildflower strips, for example between fields, we can ensure food and shelter for a wide range of insects.

Everyone can contribute

In 2018 the Norwegian government presented a National Pollinator Strategy with associated financial support schemes. This has contributed to a growing interest among both government bodies and farmers to manage and establish pollinator habitats.

“But we mustn’t forget that each and every one of us can also contribute on an individual basis. This can be done relatively easily, by keeping insect-friendly flowers in our gardens or on our balconies for example,” says Svenja B. Kroeger.

“It is of utmost importance to take action now, before it is too late,” she adds. “We need our pollinating insects, but they need us too. Together, we can make a difference.”

Pollinator research at NIBIO

NIBIO prioritises pollinator research and helps secure pollinator communities and their habitats, not only for food production, but also to maintain biodiversity and healthy ecosystems for the future.

NIBIO has received earmarked funds to follow up the National Pollinator Strategy. This was announced by the Norwegian government in 2018, with a view to maintaining viable populations of wild bees and other pollinating insects in Norway. NIBIO's role is to contribute knowledge on the topic and to disseminate this knowledge to anyone who may be interested in it.

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