Introduction to Mexico’s Pollinators
Mexico is home to approximately 10,000 pollinator species, including bees, wasps, bumblebees, ants, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds, and bats. These creatures are vital for the survival of over 20,000 plant species, which in turn sustain human life.
Native Bees: A Focus on Mexican Meliponas
While honeybees are the most recognized pollinators, Mexico boasts more than 2,000 native bee species. Among them are stingless bees known as meliponas or solitary bees. In southern and central Mexico, these meliponas hold particular significance due to their medicinal honey, ease of cultivation without stingers, growing economic potential for local communities, and their integral role in the cultural heritage of Mayan, Totonaca, and Nahua peoples.
The Threat to Pollinators
Despite the critical role pollinators play, over 40% of bees and butterflies are at risk of extinction. This figure does not account for numerous under-researched species. The primary threats include habitat loss due to urban expansion and agricultural activities, excessive use of toxic pesticides in crops, residential gardens, and urban green spaces, as well as increased pest attacks and altered temperature and rainfall patterns caused by climate change.
The Vital Role of Pollinators in Our Diet
More than 80% of the food we consume depends on pollinators. In Mexico, around 236 plant species are cultivated, with 171 relying on pollinators for successful growth. The decline of these organisms poses a severe threat, leading to the hiring of apiarists for large-scale pollination services, now also including bumblebees.
Initiatives to Protect Pollinators in Mexico City
Under the leadership of current President Sheinbaum, when she was Mexico City’s head of government, a significant initiative was launched: the creation of 1,030 pollinator gardens. This project trained nearly a thousand women specialists in establishing and maintaining these pollinator-friendly gardens, dubbed “jardines para la vida” (gardens for life), with the women referred to as “mujeres polinizadoras” (pollinator women).
These gardens and the city’s revegetation efforts have demonstrated a positive shift, with increased pollinator numbers and the rediscovery of previously unseen species like the burrowing bat, the black-throated hummingbird, and the dull-colored hummingbird.
Legislative Efforts and Conservation Projects
Further advancing pollinator protection, the Mexican environmental agencies SEMARNAT and SADER are preparing a decree to ban 35 high-risk pesticides and establish regulations for aerial spraying. Additionally, restoration projects for the country’s forests, mangroves, and rainforests aim to reestablish habitats for pollinators, ensuring their survival and, consequently, ours.
Key Questions and Answers
- What are pollinators? Pollinators are insects, birds, and other animals that facilitate the transfer of pollen between plants, enabling fertilization and the production of fruits and seeds.
- Why are pollinators important? Pollinators are crucial for maintaining biodiversity, as they support the growth of over 20,000 plant species worldwide. These plants, in turn, provide food, medicine, and other resources for humans.
- What threats do pollinators face in Mexico? Pollinators are threatened by habitat loss, pesticide use, increased pest attacks, and climate change-induced alterations in temperature and rainfall patterns.
- How can we protect pollinators? Protecting pollinators involves creating pollinator-friendly gardens, reducing pesticide use, supporting native bee populations, and implementing legislative measures to safeguard these vital creatures.
