Pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from the male part of a plant (the anther) to the female part of the plant (the stigma). This allows for a plant to produce seeds, which in turn grow into seedlings. While this is very similar to animal reproduction in many ways, most plants require some assistance […]
Wind Pollination Isn’t Enough Read More »
Thirteen years ago, National Pollinator Week was established to help raise awareness for the critical role pollinators play in our environment, as well as the challenges they face. This year’s initiative officially kicks off June 22, though things might look a little different in 2020. Typically, countless events are held in communities across the country. Due to the current outbreak of COVID-19, the festivities are more limited
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When people talk about pollinators, most of the attention goes to bees, butterflies, and birds. We actively see these daytime dwellers at work, flying from flower to flower as they help plant life thrive. But with the serious population declines that honeybees, bumblebees, and monarch butterflies have all seen in recent decades, there’s a need for greater pollinator diversity. This is where nighttime pollinators like moths can help. While
Moths: The Underappreciated Pollinators Read More »
The honeybee has long been the US’s main pollinator, contributing over $15 billion to our economy every year. Over the past few decades, however, the honeybee has seen its population cut in half largely due to colony collapse disorder. If things continue at this rate, the honeybee could be extinct by 2035. Unfortunately, counteracting CCD directly has proven to be difficult. Eliminating the use
The Importance of Pollinator Diversity in CRP Read More »
Since being introduced to America in 1622, the honeybee has become our most prominent pollinator. In fact, the honeybee is responsible for $15 billion in US crops per year. But times are changing. Honeybees have seen their numbers sharply decline over the past few decades due to Colony Collapse Disorder. With no clear answers on what causes CCD or how it can be
Promoting Bumblebees as Pollinators Read More »
Establishing pollinator habitat can offer numerous benefits to farmers. Not only do native, pollinator-friendly plants protect soil, but they help pollinators thrive. In turn, these pollinators provide crucial services for local crops and plant life, improving the health of the surrounding environment. By enrolling in the right CRP practice, farmers and landowners can even be paid to establish
Using CRP to Plant Milkweed and Save the Monarch Butterfly Read More »
The monarch butterfly is one of the most recognizable species of insect in the US. It is synonymous with the beauty of nature, gracing posters, book covers, photo galleries, and more. Yet future generations might never see one of these graceful creatures in person. Between 1994 and 2016, the population of monarch butterfly decreased by 80%. Some experts fear it could go extinct in
What’s Causing the Decline of Monarch Butterflies? Read More »
When it comes to pollinators, bees get a lot of the attention. They’re certainly important, with certain crops relying almost exclusively on bee pollination. But with issues such as colony collapse disorder affecting the world’s bee population, some experts are pushing for a greater emphasis on pollinator diversity. After all, butterflies, moths, birds, bats, and even some
The Pollinating Practices of Monarch Butterflies Read More »
Where are all the honeybees going? That is the billion-dollar question agriculturalists across the world are asking. Colonies are dying out in large quantities as the majority of their worker bees simply disappear. It’s called colony collapse disorder. Between 1947 and 2005, the number of honeybees in the US decreased from 5.9 million to 2.4 million. If honeybees continue to disappear at the current
Dealing with Colony Collapse Disorder Among Honeybees Read More »
Fossil fuels are a finite material. Estimates vary, but there will come a day when we run out of them. The sooner we can switch over to cleaner, renewable energy, the better. One of the leading contenders for utility-scale energy needs is solar power. The presence of large-scale solar projects is increasing dramatically. To keep up with demand, 3
A Better Solar Solution: How Pollinator Habitat Improves Utility-Scale Solar Projects Read More »