Sunday 27 May 2012
Headlines
Did you find this story interesting? (3) (0)
07/02/2012 07:42:14
Scientist’s highlights efforts to get bees buzzing
A scientist at the University of Reading has called for immediate action to save pollinating insects crucial to British wildlife and the economy.
Simon Potts, Professor of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services at the University’s School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, said ’strong conservation action’ was needed now to reverse the decline in the UK’s pollinating insects.
Professor Potts, an expert in the impact of pollinators on ecosystems, took part in the series, which is presented by gardening writer and broadcaster Sarah Raven and aims to spur viewers to help save the under-threat insects.
"Wild pollinators, such as bumblebees and hoverflies, are responsible for most of the pollination of wild flowers and crops in the UK, and it is these insects, not honeybees, who are the unsung heroes working hard for us," Professor Potts said.
"The value of pollination services to agriculture in the UK is about £440 million per year, with the most valuable contributions made by wild bees rather than managed honeybees.
"Our British pollinators are under severe pressure from habitat loss, agricultural intensification, diseases and climate change and strong conservation action is needed if we are to keep these essential elements of biodiversity."
The benefits from pollination are wide ranging, Professor Potts said. We are not only dependent for much of our food from pollinated crops, such as fruits and vegetables, but the wild flowers which paint our countryside in wonderful colours need pollinating to survive. In addition, many native birds and mammals, including rare species, rely on the seeds and fruits from insect-pollinated plants as a food source.
He added that towns, cities, and rural areas all benefit from the presence of bees and butterflies thanks to the flowers they pollinate.
As part of the BBC TV series Sarah Raven examines the impact of pollinating insects on the life of the countryside, towns and gardens, and big cities, and hopes to encourage individuals, businesses and authorities to do their bit to get Britain’s bees buzzing again.
 | Prof. Simon Potts |
Simon Potts, Professor of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services at the University’s School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, said ’strong conservation action’ was needed now to reverse the decline in the UK’s pollinating insects.
Professor Potts, an expert in the impact of pollinators on ecosystems, took part in the series, which is presented by gardening writer and broadcaster Sarah Raven and aims to spur viewers to help save the under-threat insects.
"Wild pollinators, such as bumblebees and hoverflies, are responsible for most of the pollination of wild flowers and crops in the UK, and it is these insects, not honeybees, who are the unsung heroes working hard for us," Professor Potts said.
"The value of pollination services to agriculture in the UK is about £440 million per year, with the most valuable contributions made by wild bees rather than managed honeybees.
"Our British pollinators are under severe pressure from habitat loss, agricultural intensification, diseases and climate change and strong conservation action is needed if we are to keep these essential elements of biodiversity."
The benefits from pollination are wide ranging, Professor Potts said. We are not only dependent for much of our food from pollinated crops, such as fruits and vegetables, but the wild flowers which paint our countryside in wonderful colours need pollinating to survive. In addition, many native birds and mammals, including rare species, rely on the seeds and fruits from insect-pollinated plants as a food source.
He added that towns, cities, and rural areas all benefit from the presence of bees and butterflies thanks to the flowers they pollinate.
As part of the BBC TV series Sarah Raven examines the impact of pollinating insects on the life of the countryside, towns and gardens, and big cities, and hopes to encourage individuals, businesses and authorities to do their bit to get Britain’s bees buzzing again.
|
Farming items for Sale
|
McCormick MC135 - Tiverton(GBP 33000)
JD 6520 - Pickering(GBP 21500)
Massey Ferguson 6470 - Cheltenham(GBP 46750)
Used Massey Ferguson 8690 - Taunton(GBP 112000)
John Deere 8430 - Thame(GBP 83000)
Related News
LEAF Marque farmer gets the nation buzzing - 02 Feb 2012LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) Marque farmer, Duncan Farrington has achieved national recognition for his work to enhance biodiversity on his ...
NFU backs EU’s first chief scientist - 05 Dec 2011The NFU has backed the appointment of an EU chief scientist to assist the European Commission on vital decisions relating to food security and climate...
Kenyan scientists to discuss women’s role in African agriculture - 09 Feb 2012In the lead up to International Women’s Day and a Parliamentary briefing on "Effective Solutions for Agricultural Development through Empowered ...
Bee Virus Could Wipe Out Mankind, Warn Scientists - 10 Feb 2008A VIRUS which has wiped out billions of bees could cause a global catastrophe worse than climate change, scientists claim. A race against time is on ...
’5m farm deal highlights Shropshire pedigree - 13 Dec 2011The lawyer behind the ’5m sale of Shropshire farming business Havenhills and Brockton Farms has said the deal ’magnifies’ the county...
New Syngenta bee guide highlights pollination roles - 16 Jun 2011Syngenta has published a new Brief Guide to Bees, to provide growers, agronomists and environmental managers with essential information on the UK&rsqu...
New EU strategy ’fails’ to highlight animal welfare - 19 Jan 2012Eurogroup for Animals is extremely disappointed by the EU’s new Animal welfare strategy published today which outlines the future actions propos...
MP calls on gov’t to end supermarkets’ ’food fight’ - 22 Feb 2012Andrew George, MP for West Cornwall, St. Ives and Isles of Scilly, is today renewing his calls for the Government to stop ’wasting time’ i...
Antibiotics in livestock ’threatens humans’ - 27 Mar 2009THE Government’s chief medical officer has warned that heavy use of antibiotics in livestock farming, as well as in general medicine, is a threa...
Milk Link announces ’special’ investment - 30 Mar 2009Milk Link has announced a major new investment at its Reece’s crumbly cheese creamery, in Malpas, Cheshire. The £1 million project will see the ...
