{"id":17340,"date":"2025-02-10T08:00:44","date_gmt":"2025-02-10T08:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ekonaut.org\/?p=17340"},"modified":"2025-12-16T14:11:42","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T14:11:42","slug":"postani-deo-naucnog-projekta-bee-is-a-key-i-pomozi-u-istrazivanju-solitarnih-pcela","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ekonaut.org\/en\/postani-deo-naucnog-projekta-bee-is-a-key-i-pomozi-u-istrazivanju-solitarnih-pcela\/","title":{"rendered":"Join the Scientific Project \"Bee is a Key\" and Help Research Solitary Bees"},"content":{"rendered":"

Why Are Solitary Bees Important?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Solitary bees are among the most efficient pollinators in nature. Unlike honeybees, they do not live in hives, do not produce honey, and their sting is harmless as it does not cause allergic reactions. However, these bees are super-pollinators, especially for fruit trees, as they can pollinate many more flowers and at lower temperatures compared to honeybees! Without them, many plants would struggle to reproduce, fruit crops would yield lower-quality produce, and harvests would be significantly reduced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, these bees are increasingly endangered, primarily due to habitat loss (lack of nesting sites and food sources) and pesticide use. They are also threatened by introduced species, pollution, and the effects of climate change. Their disappearance would trigger the loss of other species that directly or indirectly depend on them. This is why it is essential for ordinary citizens to get involved in their conservation\u2014everyone can help! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mason Bee Cocoon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What Is the \"Bee is a Key\" Project?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For years, Ekonaut has been promoting the conservation of pollinator biodiversity, raising public awareness of this crucial issue in various ways. This year, in collaboration with the Institute for Animal Husbandry<\/a> (project lead), Friends of Mason Bees<\/a> and Faculty of Science in Novi Sad<\/a> and with the support of the Center for the Promotion of Science,<\/a> we are launching a citizen science project and campaign under the name \u201cBee is a Key – Mapping and biomonitoring the population of wild pollinators across Serbia through a safe and non-invasive method\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This two-year project involves monitoring solitary bee populations by citizens across Serbia.<\/strong> So far, over 744 species of solitary bees have been recorded in Serbia, but little is known about them. Through this research, we aim to determine their distribution and abundance in as many locations as possible across the country. And that\u2019s where we need you! Participation requires minimal effort, costs nothing, and benefits both the bees and all of us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your task is simple: you will receive a \"bee hotel\" from us along with instructions on how to place it in your yard, garden, or orchard. If solitary bees are present in your area, they will settle in naturally. We will guide you through the entire process.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more details about the BEE IS A KEY<\/strong> project and ways to get involved through citizen science methods, visit the <\/strong> Friends of Mason Bees website! <\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Do You Get?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n