What ecosystem service is provided to humans by European honeybees?
1) Bees eat aphids and other pests.
2) Bees help to spread the seeds of plants.
3) Bees help crops reproduce.
4) Beehives scare away animals that prey on livestock.
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: 3) Bees help crops reproduce.
Explanation:
European honeybees (Apis mellifera) play a crucial role in agriculture and ecosystems through the process of pollination, which is one of the most vital ecosystem services provided to humans. Pollination is the transfer of pollen from the male part of a flower (anther) to the female part (stigma), enabling fertilization and the production of seeds and fruits.
While wind and other animals can also pollinate plants, honeybees are especially efficient because of their foraging behavior. As bees collect nectar and pollen for food, they unintentionally transfer pollen between flowers of the same species. This service is essential for the reproduction of many flowering plants, including a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
More than 75% of global food crops rely at least partly on pollination by insects. European honeybees, in particular, are managed by beekeepers and are commonly transported to large agricultural areas to pollinate crops like apples, almonds, blueberries, and cucumbers. Without their pollination services, the yield and quality of these crops would significantly decline, potentially causing higher food prices and food shortages.
The other options are incorrect for the following reasons:
- Bees eat aphids and other pests – False. Bees are pollinators, not predators. They feed primarily on nectar and pollen, not insects.
- Bees help to spread the seeds of plants – False. Seed dispersal is mainly carried out by animals, wind, or water. Bees facilitate reproduction but not seed spreading.
- Beehives scare away animals that prey on livestock – False. Bees do not function as protectors of livestock, and their presence does not deter predators.
Therefore, the most accurate answer is option 3, highlighting bees’ vital role in crop reproduction through pollination.