Pollinators are animals that move pollen from one flower to another, helping plants produce fruits and seeds. They are essential for successful harvests of many crops.
*Q: Why are pollinators declining in number?*
*A:* Pollinators are declining because of factors like a growing human population, climate change, and the use of chemicals, which harm their habitats and biodiversity.
*Q: What problem could arise from the decline in pollinators?*
*A:* If pollinators decline, it could lead to a decrease in food production, especially for fruits and vegetables, which are in high demand.
*Q: How are bumblebees being used to solve this problem?*
*A:* Farmers are using industrially produced bumblebees to pollinate crops. Bumblebees are great pollinators because they can transfer a lot of pollen, work in all weather conditions, and are safe and easy to use.
*Q: What is special about the smart hives used by farmers in Serbia?*
*A:* The smart hives are small and compact, provide more space for the bumblebee colony, and have a controlled microclimate that helps the bees save energy. This leads to better pollination results.
*Q: What benefits do the farmers experience by using bumblebees for pollination?*
*A:* The farmers see increased production, save on labor costs, and notice improvements in the quality of their crops-all by using a natural and sustainable pollination method.
*Q: Will the world’s population keep growing forever?*
*A:* No, it’s not likely. Scientists expect the world’s population to stop growing and level off around the year 2100 at about 10.9 billion people. Even though that’s a lot of people, we actually have enough food to feed everyone. The problem isn’t how many people there are, but how our food production system works. If we improve how we produce and distribute food, we can feed everyone.
*Q: Are GM (genetically modified) crops safe to eat?*
*A:* Yes, GM crops are safe to eat. Before they’re allowed to be sold, GM crops go through many tests to make sure they’re safe. Scientists have been studying GM crops for about 40 years and haven’t found any harmful effects on people compared to regular crops.
*Q: Can GM crops spread and create weeds?*
*A:* It’s very unlikely that GM crops will spread and create weeds. Most GM crops are designed to grow well in nutrient-rich soil, so if they did spread to areas with poor soil, wild plants would outgrow them. Even though some GM crops can cross-pollinate with nearby plants, the pollen usually doesn’t travel very far.
*Q: Why would farmers use natural pest control instead of chemical pesticides?*
*A:* Even though chemical pesticides might seem cheap and easy, they can actually be expensive and inefficient because a lot of the pesticide doesn’t reach the pests. Natural pest control, like using beneficial insects, can be a better option because these insects multiply on their own, so farmers don’t have to keep adding more. This can end up being cheaper and easier.
*Q: Can pests become resistant to natural pest control?*
*A:* Pests can become resistant over time, but it usually happens very slowly. There are a few reasons for this: pests can hide from predators, predators also evolve to keep up with the pests, and pests that adapt to one predator might become vulnerable to another. So, natural pest control remains effective for a long time.
*Q: How are bumblebees bred for farming? Is it harmful to them?*
*A:* Bumblebees are bred in a way that lets them behave naturally. When they’re released into fields or greenhouses, they do what they normally would-pollinating plants. This process is not harmful to the bees.
*Q: What keeps the bumblebees from leaving the field or greenhouse?*
*A:* Bumblebees are free to leave, and a few might, but they usually stay because the field or greenhouse is where they find the pollen they need. Bumblebees are also good at finding their way back to their hive. If they try to enter another hive, ‘guard’ bees will protect their hive and keep intruders out.
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