Bees are the cornerstone of the food chain and natural cycles, said Prof. Muhsin Konuk, explaining that they perform most of the pollination on Earth, ensuring the survival of both agricultural crops and wild plant species.
Prof. Konuk warned that the disappearance of bees would lead to a chain reaction collapse, rom plant diversity to animal populations, from food prices to social stability: "Without bees, many plants cannot reproduce. As a result, plants decline, herbivores decline, carnivores decline, soil fertility decreases, erosion increases, and biodiversity collapses." He noted that pesticides, climate change, habitat loss, and diseases are among the main threats to bee populations, and emphasized that artificial pollination, robotic bees, or genetic solutions cannot replace this natural process.
Prof. Muhsin Konuk, Advisor to the Rector of Üsküdar University and Head of the Molecular Biology Master’s Program, shared insights into the importance of bees for ecosystems, agriculture, and food security.
Bees: The foundation of the food chain, agricultural economy, and natural cycles
“Most people know bees only as cute insects that make honey,” said Prof. Muhsin Konuk. “However, their real and vital role in the ecosystem lies in their function in the pollination process. This is one of their essential functions that enables the survival of both nature and human life.”
He described why bees are the “silent heroes” of our planet: "As bees fly from flower to flower, they carry pollen. This enables fertilization and the formation of fruits, vegetables, and seeds. Honeybees perform about 70–80% of the world’s pollination. The vegetables and fruits we eat every day depend on the presence of bees. Their contribution to pollination covers not only agricultural products but also around 300,000 plant species in the wild. This diversity of plants sustains habitats and food sources for many animals, from birds to mammals. Vegetation formed as a result of pollination balances the water cycle, prevents erosion, and enriches the soil. This means bees indirectly contribute to climate stability. Bees do not just produce honey, They are the foundation of our food chain, agricultural economy, and natural cycles.”
Pesticides and diseases reduce bee populations
Natural balance is the delicate interaction between living and non-living elements of ecosystems, noted Prof. Konuk: "Bees hold a critical position in this structure. If bees disappear, there will be a chain reaction. Pollination will decline, plant production will drop, herbivores will be harmed, carnivores will be affected, human food diversity will shrink, and agricultural costs will rise. This would seriously disrupt the natural balance. A quote often attributed (though debated) to Einstein summarizes it: ‘If bees disappear, humans will have four years left.’”
Recalling that Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) occurs particularly in honeybees when most worker bees in a colony suddenly vanish, Konuk said: "In the hive, the queen, larvae, and food stores remain, but without workers, the colony collapses. One of the main causes is pesticides. They damage bees’ nervous systems and impair navigation. Bees cannot find food, cannot return to the hive, and the colony weakens. Climate change alters flowering times, reducing nectar and pollen. Sudden temperature fluctuations disrupt bee life cycles. Habitat loss through urbanization and monoculture farming destroys natural flower diversity and reduces food variety. Diseases and parasites, especially Varroa destructor mites, spread viruses that destroy colonies.
Scientists do not point to a single cause as the ‘biggest,’ but the combination of pesticides and diseases stands out. Climate change and habitat loss further reduce the bees’ resilience.”
75% of agricultural products depend on pollination!
Highlighting the effects of bee extinction, Prof. Muhsin Konuk said: "Fruits, vegetables, nuts, and oilseeds would decrease significantly. Seventy-five percent of agricultural products depend on pollination. Artificial pollination is costly and impractical."
He pointed out that there would also be economic, social, and ecological consequences: "Agricultural income would fall, food prices would rise, and a food crisis would be triggered. Sectors dependent on agriculture would take a hit, and the honey and bee products industry would disappear. Access to food would be restricted, dietary diversity would decrease, and the risk of hunger would increase. Rural migration and unemployment would grow, and social unrest could occur. Plant diversity would decline, habitats would deteriorate, herbivores would be unable to find food, and the food chain would collapse. Forests and many species would vanish."
Without bees, biodiversity collapses!
Reiterating that the disappearance of bees would create a domino effect, Prof. Konuk stated:
"Seventy-five percent of flowering plants depend on animal pollination. Without bees, many plants cannot reproduce. Insects that feed on pollen and nectar face extinction. Species that feed on fruits and seeds would be unable to find food, seed dispersal mechanisms would weaken, and forests would shrink. Consequently, plants decline, herbivores decline, carnivores decline, soil fertility decreases, erosion increases, and biodiversity collapses."
The most logical path: protect bees and natural pollination!
Emphasizing that technological solutions such as artificial fertilization or robotic bees cannot replace natural pollination, Prof. Konuk said: "At least for now and in the near future, it is not fully possible. Natural pollination is a complex and highly efficient process; technology struggles to match it both biologically and economically."
Addressing current technological solutions and their problems, he added: "In some regions of China, especially where bee populations have declined due to pesticides, people pollinate flowers one by one using brushes or cotton. However, this method is extremely time-consuming and has prohibitively high labor costs. It is possible for small gardens, but impossible to apply on a global agricultural scale. In Japan and some research centers, there are studies on small drones carrying pollen. Yet there are many problems, ensuring precise contact with each flower is highly complex. Pollinating billions of flowers would require millions of robots. The environmental impact of these machines is unknown. Meanwhile, there are also efforts in genetic and agricultural alternatives, such as developing plants less dependent on pollination. However, this cannot compensate for the loss of biodiversity and only provides a limited agricultural solution.
These approaches cannot replace bees. Bees have provided an optimized ecosystem service for millions of years. They do not merely carry pollen; they form a symbiotic relationship with plants, can distinguish between flower species, and follow the most efficient pollination routes. Replicating this complex behavior technologically is both costly and incompatible with nature. In conclusion, technological solutions may support small areas in the short term, but they cannot make up for the loss of bees. The most logical path is to protect bees and natural pollination."
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)