As we progressed through the planning stages for our Archibull, and the associated Blog, it became

apparent that we would be able to incorporate a design theme which would link the various industries within
our specific area of grain production. Honey bee colony losses are being observed worldwide, which is
raising great ecological and economic concern. Indeed, scientists estimate that survival of over 80% of
plant species depend directly on pollinating insects, and more specifically on bees. Any major decline of the
pollinating insects population would therefore have a dramatic impact on biodiversity and related economic
activities. Because they are sensitive to their environment, bees are also considered as major bioindicators, which makes it relevant to see them as an emblem for biodiversity. Preserving bees will
therefore benefit all kinds of pollinating insects, animals and people. We therefore made the decision to
encorporate the honey as a major focus within our design framework.

Importance of Honey Bees

While beekeeping is a relatively small industry, it is a hugely important one that plays a highly significant
role within the agricultural sector.
Beekeeping is essential, not just for honey and other hive products such as bees wax, but also for the
pollination services provided by bees.
Two thirds of Australia's agricultural output is dependent on honey bees!
Numerous studies show that the addition of bees at a time when plants are flowering significantly increases
both the yield and quality of crops.
Honey and other hive products generate around $90 million a year in Australia, but the contribution of
honey bees to crop production is estimated to be around $4-6 billion a year.
Although honey bees are an introduced species in Australia, all the crops they pollinate, except
macadamias, originally come from overseas as well. Honey bees also provide benefits to native forests by
adding to biodiversity through pollination. Plant biodiversity contributes to positive outcomes such as soil
and water retention, local area cooling and carbon sinks. So bees provide a key ecosystem service and fall
into the rare category of being an exotic species that provides significant benefits to their local environment.
Honey bees play an essential role in ensuring food security.

Our Honey Bees are under threat because;

Honey bees and other pollinators are under threat worldwide for a number of reasons, including:

Honey bee diseases and pests

Habitat destruction

Just like other animals honey bees are susceptible to a number of diseases, and
unfortunately with global movements and intensive farming practices, a number of bee
diseases are increasing in their detrimental effects on bees

A loss of access to nectar and pollen resources makes it difficult to impossible for
commercial beekeepers to maintain a viable business and by extension to sustain enough
healthy and strong hives for pollination services

The use of agricultural chemicals

Products like insecticides, fungicides, herbicides and fertilizers can all be highly toxic to
bees, but many of these are commonly used in very high quantities in the horticultural
industry and we are seeing their negative impact on bee health and numbers

A decline in commercial beekeeping

Commercial beekeeper number are decreasing in Australia and across the world for a
number of reasons including reduced access to resources, low honey prices with increasing
production costs, an under-appreciation of the value of pollination services and the impact of
serious bee diseases

Table 1: Pollination responsiveness of selected

crops (as percentage of yield)
Commodity
Responsiveness(%)
Tree crops
Almond
100
Apple
100
Apricot
70
Avocado
100
Cherries
90
Citrus
080
Grapefruit
80
Lemon & lime
20
Macadamia
90
Mandarin
30
Mango
90
Nectarine
60
Orange
30
Papaya
20
Peach
60
Pear
50100
Plum & prune
70
Ground crops
Peanuts
10
Broadacre crops
Canola
15
Cotton
10
Soybeans
1060
Sunflower
30100

Commodity
Responsiveness(%)
Vine crops
Blueberry
100
Cucumber
100
Kiwi
80
Pumpkin
100
Rockmelon
100
Squash
10
Watermelon
70
Seed production
Beans
10
Broccoli
100
Brussel sprouts
100
Cabbage
100
Canola seed
100
Carrot
100
Cauliflower
100
Celery
100
Clover
100
Lucerne
100
Mustard
Onions
100

Source: Pollination Aware: The Real Value of Pollination in Australia

(RIRDC Pub. No. 10-081, August 2010)

100