Next time you see a bee hovering around a fruit tree, you’re probably witnessing pollination in action. Pollination is what enables a plant to produce seeds and fruit – and, as research has shown, pollination by insects can greatly improve the quality and quantity of fruit produced.
There’s mounting evidence of a decline in the populations of pollinators all over the world. The consequences for agriculture could be significant. In 2008, some scientists calculated the economic value that insect pollination contributed to world agricultural output. The number they came up with was €153 billion a year – it’s likely to be much higher now.
