Five reasons pollinators matter for One Health
Pollinators, such as bees, birds, butterflies, and bats, play a vital role in the health of plants, animals, people and the environment. This World Bee Day, here are five reasons pollinators are vital contributors to One Health.
They help feed the world
Pollinators contribute to 35 percent of the world’s total crop production, supporting 87 of the 115 leading food crops, including fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts. These crops are critical for diverse diets and livelihoods. Without adequate pollination, yields decline, food becomes scarcer and more expensive – placing food security and the livelihoods of farmers and communities at risk.
They support human health through better nutrition
Pollinators ensure the availability of many nutrient-dense foods - like berries, seeds, nuts, and vegetables - that are crucial for balanced diets and disease prevention. Without them, the supply of these foods could decline, leading to poorer diets and negative health outcomes. Pollination also supports biodiversity in our food systems, helping to sustain a wide variety of crops that contribute to more resilient and diverse diets. Many of these foods play a critical role in preventing micronutrient deficiencies, including Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and iron.
They signal environmental health risks
Pollinators are indicators of environmental health. Because they are sensitive to ecosystem disruptions, monitoring pollinator health offers vital clues about wider environmental threats. When pollinator populations decline, food production and essential ecosystem services are affected, triggering a feedback loop that worsens both environmental and human health. Protecting pollinators is therefore critical to safeguarding the ecosystems that sustain plant, animal, and human health.
They strengthen plant health
Pollinators are essential for the natural reproduction and genetic diversity of plants, which helps enhance their resistance to pests, diseases, and climatic conditions. This is vital for maintaining plant health, a foundational element of One Health. Healthy, resilient plants may require fewer chemical inputs like pesticides, which, if not used properly, can pose risks to pollinators. Practices such as integrated pest management and agroecological approaches help manage plant health in ways that also safeguard pollinators and ecosystems.
They maintain healthy ecosystems and biodiversity
Pollinators enable the reproduction of nearly 90 percent of the world’s flowering wild plants - more than 300 000 species. These plants are the backbone of ecosystems, providing habitat, shelter and food for a wide range of wildlife. Pollinators play a role in the regeneration of forest areas, wetlands, and other ecosystems, contributing to the overall environmental health of the planet. Their decline sets off a chain reaction, threatening biodiversity and weakening the ability of ecosystems to withstand climate change and environmental stress.
