Earth is home to a huge variety of plants and animals. Although it may not always be easy to see, these living things rely on each other. A balance between plants and animals allows them both to survive. One way that this balance is achieved is through pollination. Pollen is a grain on many plants with flowers. For the plant to make seeds or fruit, it needs the pollen to be moved to other plants. The plants can then grow more plants after pollination occurs.
Since plants are not able to move from place to place, they need help from animals to spread their seeds or pollen. Many different animals can take on the role of pollinators. The most common are bees, but other insects like butterflies and beetles can also pollinate plants. Small animals like birds and bats also help with pollination.
The pollinators also benefit from helping the plants. Some animals eat the fruit made by plants. Bees visit the flowers to collect nectar. This nectar is brought back to the hive to make honey. The population of bees has been declining over the years. Scientists are researching ways to help these important pollinators. One way is by encouraging people to put the types of plants that attract bees in their gardens at home.
What Can You Do? How do you think you could help pollinators such as bees?
Reading Response Click on this link to respond to your reading. Print out the response page or upload it to your classroom site.
Photo Credit: Julio Salgado/Shutterstock
