Pollinators are the unsung heroes of our ecosystems
In the symphony of nature, every flutter, buzz, and hum plays a vital role in the health of our planet. Pollination services are critical for food production and human livelihoods, and directly link wild ecosystems with agricultural production systems. The vast majority of flowering plant species only produce seeds if animal pollination move pollen from the anthers to the stigmas of their flowers. Without this pollination service, many species and processes functioning within an ecosystem would collapse.
3/4
of the world’s most productive crop plants depend, at least in part, on pollinators.
35%
of world’s crop production (volume) is affected by bees, birds, bats and other pollinators
200 000
species of animals act as pollinators, including over 20 000 species of bees.
The more we know about pollinators and their interactions in agro ecosystems, the more we can understand how to conserve them and maintain biodiversity, ensure ecosystem health, sustainably produce food and improve human livelihoods. Identifying pollinators and understanding their interactions with plants and ecosystems are key to expands the knowledge base and we achieve this by monitoring pollinator declines, pollinator deficits, and assessing socio-economic values.
Managing
Both wild and managed pollinator populations require safe habitats and forage resources in order to survive. Management practices have been identified and tested by farmers, to protect and manage wild pollinator populations. These practices not only benefit pollination ecosystem services, but contribute to crop diversity (biodiversity), soil health and reduced pesticide use, to name a few.
Mainstreaming
Over 80 percent of all flowering plant species are pollinated by animals, mostly insects, and they affect 35 percent of the world’s crop production. Pollination is therefore critical to crop production, and awareness of this essential ecosystem service is important for everyone – the general public including children, farmers, but also decision makers from national to international levels.
Learning
Building capacity of professionals from different sectors is important not only to raise awareness of pollination, but also to deploy technical information on pollinators and their role in crop production. Building capacity through trainings provides opportunities to learn, improve technical capacity and create networks of national and international experts.
Pollinator-friendly agricultural production in Angola: key evidences, success stories and recommendations
09/04/2025
Pollinator-Friendly Agriculture in Angola: A Conversation with Dr. Max Vicente
Across the globe, the role...
The Brazilian Treefrog That Might Be the World’s First Amphibian Pollinator
08/04/2025
In the vibrant heart of Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, a surprising discovery has emerged—Xenohyla truncata, a small treefrog, might just be...
Capture the buzz: enter the World Bee Day 2025 photo contest
14/03/2025
Calling all photography enthusiasts!
Global chocolate supply is limited by low pollination and high temperatures
13/03/2025
The study found that hand-pollination could boost yields by 20%, confirming that limited pollination, rather than...
Current Status, Challenges, and Perspectives in the Conservation of Native Honeybees and Beekeeping in Cambodia
13/03/2025
Cambodia is home to four native honeybee species—Apis dorsata, A. cerana, A. florea, and A. andreniformis—that...
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Handbook of Pollinator Diversity and Conservation in East Africa
13/03/2025
Pollinators play a vital yet often overlooked role in sustaining ecosystems, agriculture, and livelihoods. Our Friends the Pollinators: A Handbook...
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FAO unveils the theme for World Bee Day 2025
06/03/2025
This year’s celebration on 20 May highlights the vital roles of bees and other pollinators in ensuring global food security and nutrition
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Latin America advances in the protection of pollinators
21/02/2025
Pollination is essential to ensure food production and maintain terrestrial biodiversity. Over 75% of the world's major...
Call for case studies: Digital Tools for Genetic Diversity of Pollinators
19/02/2025
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is launching a call for case studies on innovative solutions for monitoring diversity of pollinators and...
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Discover the wonders of pollinators
12/06/2024
In the tapestry of our ecosystem, pollinators play a critical role in sustaining agricultural productivity and enhancing human health. Recognizing the...
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World Bee Day 2024: showing children how bees and pollinators make our world a better place
22/05/2024
The theme of the sixth edition of
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“Bee Engaged with Youth” to Safeguard Bees and Other Pollinators
20/05/2024
Pollination is a fundamental process that is necessary for the survival of our ecosystems. It plays a crucial role in food security and agrobiodiversity....
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Beekeeping Project Sparks Joy Across Tanzania
03/03/2024
During a handover event in Tanzania, from the Capacity Building Related to Multilateral Environmental Agreements in African, Caribbean and Pacific...
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Health status of honeybee colonies (Apis mellifera) and disease-associated risk factors in different agroecological zones of Southwest Ethiopia
01/01/2024
A cross-sectional study design was conducted in different agroecological zones of southwest Ethiopia from October 2019 to October 2021. The study aimed...
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Insect Pollinators: A Key to Ecosystem Resilience and Food Security
01/01/2024
To safeguard pollinators, it is imperative to take actions like creating pollinator-friendly gardens, avoiding pesticides, and promoting sustainable...
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Neonicotinoid Clothianidin reduces honey bee immune response and contributes to Varroa mite proliferation
01/01/2024
The neonicotinoid Clothianidin has a negative impact on NF-κB signaling and on immune responses controlled by this transcription factor, which can boost...
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Honeybees use propolis as a natural pesticide against their major ectoparasite
01/01/2024
Honeybees use propolis collected from plants for coating the inner walls oftheir nest. This substance is also used as a natural antibiotic against microbialpathogens,...
Securing forage resources for indigenous managed honey bees–thoughts from South Africa
01/01/2024
In South Africa where honey bees (Apis melifera) are native, they are important for pollination processes that sustain numerous indigenous plants and...
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Multiple values of beekeeping (with A. mellifera) as an element of diversified, agroecological coffee farms in Chiapas, Mexico
01/01/2024
Honeybees (Apis mellifera) and native bee species have ecological, economic, social, and cultural importance to smallholder coffee farmers. While the...
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Importance of urban green areas’ connectivity for the conservation of pollinators
01/01/2024
Our results emphasize the importance of green spaces to maintain the pollinator’s community in cities, and suggest that proper design and/or management...
Share your contribution
Is your camera roll buzzing with photos of busy bees, fluttering butterflies, or other pollinators in action? Join our mission to celebrate and protect these vital creatures by sharing your best pollinator photos with us.
Pollinators
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