Over the last 100 years, our land management strategies have drastically changed. Over this course of time, studies have proven the devastating effects of these changes on pollinators, human health, and soil health. For example, The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), reports that +40% of invertebrate pollinator species are facing extinction.
- * 16.5% -- Percentage of vertebrate pollinators threatened with extinction globally.
- * +40% – Percentage of invertebrate pollinator species – particularly bees and butterflies
- – facing extinction.
- * 1851 and 1986 flower visiting bee and wasp species – 19
- * The most rapid phase of extinction appears to be related to changes in agricultural policy and practices beginning in the 1920s
| As a result, the UN, in accord with its Sustainable Development Goals, has urged the protection of pollinators. The IPBES suggested specific policy options ranging from raising the standards for pesticide regulation, to focus on ecosystems services rather than agrochemicals, and restoring ‘green-infrastructure’ to help nurture pollinators in urban and rural areas. |  |
In addition, to eliminating pesticides, part of the policy would ensure reestablishment of host plants. Many host plants are targeted “weeds” such as plantain, stinging nettle, mallow, fiddleneck, and more that are the subject of weed eradication, even in non turf open spaces. As an Organic Lawn Care Accredited Professional, I know that athletic fields and the disruption of weeds, can be managed organically with a decreased cost over 5 years.
Our cities, in accord with developing “Healthy Cities” policies to move towards healthy sustainable environments and protect human health, needs to develop organic policies as a part of long term goals.
If your organization is interested, I offer a free presentation “Decline of Pollinators: Bees as a Cornerstone Species” which I have delivered to licensed County Environmental Health Specialists and can share it at no cost to your staff.
Please, in order to protect our ecosystems and health, move towards a systems based land management approach versus our current conventional agrochemical based techniques.
Resources:
Our cities, in accord with developing “Healthy Cities” policies to move towards healthy sustainable environments and protect human health, needs to develop organic policies as a part of long term goals.
If your organization is interested, I offer a free presentation “Decline of Pollinators: Bees as a Cornerstone Species” which I have delivered to licensed County Environmental Health Specialists and can share it at no cost to your staff.
Please, in order to protect our ecosystems and health, move towards a systems based land management approach versus our current conventional agrochemical based techniques.
Resources:
- https://digital.lib.washington.edu/researchworks/bitstream/handle/1773/33129/Carlson_washington_0250E_14276.pdf?sequence=1
- https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/06/20/presidential-memorandum-creating-federal-strategy-promote-health-honey-b
- Ollerton, Jeff et. al., “Extinctions of aculeate pollinators in Britain and the role of large-scale agricultural changes”, Science 12 Dec 2014: Vol. 346, Issue 6215, pp. 1360-1362 DOI: 10.1126/science.1257259 http://science.sciencemag.org/content/346/6215/1360.full.pdf+html
- Secretariat. "Pollination." IPBES. IPBES, 05 Mar. 2017. Web. 14 Mar. 2017.
- Countries urged to prioritize protection of pollinators to ensure food security at UN Biodiversity Conference - United Nations Sustainable Development - United Nations http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/2016/12/pollinators/
- http://www.ipbes.net/sites/default/files/downloads/pdf/20161124_media_release_science_article_pollinators_final_eng.pdf
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