What’s the Deal with Pollinators?
It's Spring!
That means more flowers, sunshine, and pollinators! Pollinators play a crucial role in ecosytems globally. Three-fourths of the world’s flowering plants and about 35 percent of the world’s food crops depend on animal pollination to reproduce. While wind and water can move pollen for some plants, most depend on pollinators to move it from one flower to the next.
White Nose Syndrome has killed millions of bats across America. Though it is mostly spread from bat to bat, human activity in caves can also spread it.
Pollinators come in many shapes and sizes. Birds, bats, butterflies, moths, flies, beetles, wasps, small mammals, and most importantly, bees are all pollinators. They visit flowers to drink nectar or feed off of pollen and transport pollen grains as they move from plant to plant.
Unfortunately, pollinators and their habitats are threatened.
Pollinators and plants co-evolved for ecological success. Notice how long the beak of this hummingbird is. The better to reach pollen with, my dear!
Degradation and fragmentation of habitat, complete loss of habitat, and pesticide use threaten pollinators and in turn native ecosystems. Climate change, invasive species, and disease are other factors. Forty percent of American bat species are either in severe decline or have already been listed as endangered, and three bat species acting as pollinators within the target area are listed endangered (Indiana bat, Gray bat, and Virginia big-eared bat), and one is threatened (Northern long-eared bat). The Rusty patched bumble bee, a once abundant and important pollinator within our area, is listed endangered and scarcely seen.
Pollinators provide stability in every terrestrial eco-system because most flowering plants depend on them. Abundant and healthy populations of pollinators can create larger and more healthy fruit, on farmland and in the wild. Co-evolution means certain plants can only be pollinated by a specific beetle or hummingbird. Pollinators play an integral role in biodiversity globally.
pollinator protection
Pictured above is the pollinator garden outside of the Appalachian Forest Discovery Center in Elkins, WV.
Globally, people and organizations are working hard to protect pollinators and raise awareness through education, tree plantings, non-native invasive species removal, using alternatives to pesticides, and letting some ‘weeds’ grow. The creation of National Pollinator Week, designated by the US Senate, and other advocacy efforts are definitely a push in the right direction.
Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area has pledged to help pollinators and created our Pollinator Initiative to provide resources for others who share our goals.
But how can you help and get involved? You don’t have to be a large corporation or have a lot of money to help pollinators. Check out the activities below to find out how you can help pollinators around your home, and take part in our Pollinator Initiative!
Plant Native Wildflowers - Native pollinators and native plants co-evolved to depend on one another for nourishment. Planting native wildflowers creates a home and place for pollinators to rest. Be careful of the wildflower mixes you find at the store, many of them contain non-native or invasive species.
Create a Bee Hotel - Mason bees, native to our area, do not build wax combs like European honey bees. Instead females lay eggs in tube like structures. Use things lying around your house, such as paper and glass jars, to create a home for one of the 150 different types of mason bees in North America!
Create a Bat Box - Many bats spend summers in trees or under bridges, where they give birth and rear young. Building a bat box provides bats with a warm, safe place for their offspring.
Plant a Monarch Waystation - Monarch Waystations are places that provide resources necessary for monarchs to produce successive generations and sustain their seasonal migration.
Let us know if you do any of these activities, and you can sign our Pollinator Initiative and we can feature your project in a newsletter! We have extended resources through our Pollinator Initiative including: information for large organizations, educational resources for classroom settings, activities to be done at home, and grants information.
For any questions about our Pollinator Initiative or the activities above, contact pollinate@afnha.org.
