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Why bees are critical for achieving sustainable development |
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| Authors: | Vidushi Patel Natasha Pauli Eloise Biggs Liz Barbour Bryan Boruff |
| Institution: | 1.UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia (M004), 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009 Australia ;2.Cooperative Research Centre for Honey Bee Products, 128, Yanchep Beach Rd, Yanchep, WA 6035 Australia ;3.Department of Geography and Planning, The University of Western Australia (M004), 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009 Australia |
| Abstract: | Reductions in global bee populations are threatening the pollination benefits to both the planet and people. Whilst the contribution of bee pollination in promoting sustainable development goals through food security and biodiversity is widely acknowledged, a range of other benefits provided by bees has yet to be fully recognised. We explore the contributions of bees towards achieving the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our insights suggest that bees potentially contribute towards 15 of the 17 SDGs and a minimum of 30 SDG targets. We identify common themes in which bees play an essential role, and suggest that improved understanding of bee contributions to sustainable development is crucial for ensuring viable bee systems. |
| Keywords: | Bees Biodiversity Complex systems Human– environment interactions Pollination Sustainable Development Goals |