File: food More mouths to feed

Agriculture

There are currently 7.6 billion people on Earth, and it is estimated that the global population will reach 10 billion by 2050. More people also means more mouths to feed, and that calls for greater food production. A more biodiverse environment can increase food-crop yields.

 

What does Naturalis do?

One of the things we do here at Naturalis is carry out research into pollination ecology. In this research, we examine the various ways that organisms affect one another. We then put the results of the studies to use in social projects. Together with partners, Naturalis also organizes the National Bee Count each year. In doing so, we all work to save the bees, and everyone becomes more aware of the fragile biodiversity around them.

Pollinators
under threat

Much of the food grown today involves the use of pesticides to increase yields. Pesticides are chemicals that combat diseases or weeds in crops. The downside is that they also kill many organisms at the bottom of the food chain, which is bad for biodiversity. For instance, many pollinators – such as bees – are harmed by pesticides. This can have serious consequences, because they are crucial to our food production. Bees alone pollinate about 70% of the plants that feed almost the entire world population. 

Researchers
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Projects
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