Celebrating International Day for Biodiversity

On May 22nd, we join hands with the global community to celebrate International Day for Biodiversity.

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth, terrestrial and aquatic, encompassing plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms, as well as the ecosystems they form (cbd, n.d.).

What does biodiversity mean to you? Please do share your thoughts in the comment box, we would love to read them.

If I had to represent biodiversity, I would picture it as an ancient oak tree.

Credit: BEES

Robust and majestic, the oak tree is a giant ecosystem on its own, providing food, shelter, and breeding spaces for lots of species. The young sapling may well have been surrounded by brambles and nettles, which bring so much wildlife too (Woodland Trust, n.d.,a), preventing it from being grazed. As the tree grows strong and tall, it develops extensive root networks and mycorrhizal associations with fungi to help with water and nutrient absorption, whilst also improving soil structure and stability. With age, it develops cavities, crevices, dead wood and other features that plants, birds, insects, and mammals cherish. It can support 2,300 species from which 326 rely on it for survival (Woodland Trust, n.d., b; Mitchell et al., 2019).

Biodiversity is intertwined with our cultural heritage, shaping our traditions, beliefs, and identities. Standing tall like the iconic Major Oak of Sherwood Forest (Sherwood Forest, n.d.), the English oak (Quercus robur) has inspired countless poems, witnessed our history unfold, and enriched our traditions in ways both grand and subtle. Its fruit were not only great for pigs but for centuries it became the fallback food during periods of crop failure or famine (Maraschi, 2018).

Many of our medicines, including antibiotics and cancer treatments, are derived from plants and animals. Traditional medicine and natural products are still widely used (WHO, 2015). The oak tree contains phenolic compounds, triterpenoids and flavonoids which have anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and anti-cancer properties and may have promising therapeutic uses (Taib et al., 2020).

In a world facing the challenges of climate change and habitat destruction, biodiversity is our best insurance policy. While biodiversity loss is a global issue, we can make a difference right here in the UK and Be Part of the Plan.

How we can Be Part of the Plan

Here are some steps we can all take to promote biodiversity:

• Support local conservation groups: Look for organisations working on habitat restoration or species protection. Becoming a member, volunteering or donating can make a real difference.

• Create wildlife havens: Whether it's a small garden or a community park, creating wildlife-friendly habitats can provide refuge for native plants and animals.

• Support sustainable farming: Choose food in season and produced by local sustainable farms. Look for labels like “Red Tractor” or organic certification. Sustainable farms often plant wildflowers, maintain hedgerows and encourage natural predators for pest control, creating a haven for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. They minimise the use of pesticide and fertiliser to protect and promote healthy soil ecosystems.

• Reduce waste: Waste less, compost food waste and recycle more to minimise pollution and habitat destruction.

• Become a citizen scientist: Be involved in collecting data on local wildlife, providing valuable information for conservation efforts.

• Be informed, stay updated and spread the word: Organisations like the Wildlife Trusts regularly host events and activities focused on wildlife and conservation. Check their websites for upcoming events. Stay informed, learn about nature and biodiversity and spread the word. At BEES it is our mission to raise awareness about the importance of biodiversity in our community. We train ambassadors for nature and nature guides, and together we can be powerful agents of change and encourage others to take action to protect biodiversity triggering a positive tipping point for nature. Every small action adds up to make a positive impact on biodiversity.
  

“A tipping point is where a small intervention leads to large and long-term consequences for the evolution of a complex system, profoundly altering its mode of operation” (From Lenton et al., 2022)

On this International Day for Biodiversity, let's celebrate the incredible richness of life on Earth and recommit ourselves to protecting and promoting biodiversity for generations to come. Together, we can build a brighter, more sustainable future.

Join us in celebrating biodiversity on 22nd May!

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Merry Christmas and Happy 2024 from all of us at BEES.

Do something for nature over Christmas

It has been another busy year for us at BEES and we have received glowing feedback from our participants and teachers, a testament to our commitment to delivering an exceptional learning experience.

With our adult course programme, we are empowering nature enthusiasts to spark a love for the natural world among their peers, families, colleagues, and communities. Through guided nature walks, engaging activities, and everyday conversations, our trained nature guides and ambassadors for nature will foster a deeper appreciation for the environment and inspire others to become stewards of our planet.

What did we do in 2023?

In 2023 we organised our second leadership skills session and attended the very first guided walks of our first participants as part of their final assessment. We were very impressed by the enthusiasm and quality of their walks. They are now finalising their written guides and completing the interactive quizzes we have designed to help them assess and enhance their knowledge.

Interested in the course?

We are reaching the end of our first course programme and everyone is eager to know when we will start a new course programme? We wish we could tell you tomorrow, or early next year…But for the charity to be sustainable and ensure the success of a second course programme, we need your support. If you are passionate about nature and reside in East Anglia, we would like to invite you to join our team of dedicated volunteers. With just a few hours every other week, you can make a significant impact on our mission to raise environmental awareness and protect biodiversity. Explore our volunteering opportunities on our website or contact us directly at contact@beeanatureguide.org.uk to get involved.

Alternatively, if you prefer to support our mission financially, we welcome your donations. Your generosity will enable us to continue our vital work in protecting our beloved natural world.

Together, we can make a difference. Join us in safeguarding our planet's precious ecosystems and inspiring future generations to become stewards of the environment.

Thank you

A big thank you again to you and to all our partners, teachers, participants, volunteers and followers for making this journey all worth it.

Keep on enjoying the outdoors and learning about nature.

We wish you a happy festive season and all the best for 2024!

Anneloes, Laura, Lee and David.

World Jellyfish Day

Did you know on November 3rd we celebrate some remarkable creatures: jellyfish!

Often disliked because of their stinging tentacles, jellyfish are some of the most fascinating creatures in the ocean, and they play an important role in the marine ecosystem. They are also a common sight in UK waters, and their presence has been increasing in recent years.

Barrel jellyfish. Credit: Adobe Stock

Key facts about jellyfish:

• Jellyfish are gelatinous invertebrates (animals with no backbones) that belong to the phylum Cnidaria.

• They have a bell-shaped body and tentacles that are armed with stinging cells.

• Jellyfish can range in size from a few millimeters to over two meters in diameter.

• Some jellyfish species are bioluminescent, meaning they can produce their own light.

• Jellyfish are found in all oceans and at all depths.

• They have a complex life cycle that involves two distinct stages:

  • polyp: polyps live on the seabed and reproduce asexually by budding off new polyps.

  • medusa: they reproduce sexually by producing eggs which develop into larvae that will settle to the seabed and become polyps.

• They have been around since the Cambrian Period more than 500 millions years ago.

Why are they important for the marine ecosystem?

• Jellyfish provide shelter and protection under their tentacles for young fish.

• Jellyfish also help young fish to feed on small organisms found on them or on prey that jellyfish kill on their travels.

• By providing food and shelter, jellyfish help to increase populations of fish species, such as whiting in the North Sea, and other commercially-important species.

• Jellyfish are an essential part of many food chains, being preyed upon by lion's mane jellyfish, sunfish, spadefish, crabs, other large crustaceans, seabirds and marine turtles.

• Jellyfish continue to sustain marine species even after death, as deep-sea creatures like hagfish feast on their remains.

• Jellyfish help with nutrient cycling in the ocean by transporting nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorous, through the sea.

• Nutrients released by jellyfish through feeding or excretion are a great source for other organisms, such as phytoplankton.

• Jellyfish can play a role in water quality by filtering out plankton and other small organisms.

Presence of jellyfish in the UK:

There are thousands of jellyfish species around the world but only 6 jellyfish species and 2 jellyfish-like hydrozoan species have been frequently reported in UK waters:

• Barrel jellyfish (Rhizostoma pulmo)

• Blue jellyfish (Cyanea lamarckii)

• Moon jellyfish (Aurelia aurita)

• Compass jellyfish (Chrysaora hysoscella)

• Lion's mane jellyfish (Cyanea capillata)

• Mauve stinger jellyfish (Pelagica nocticula)

• Portuguese man o' war (Physalia physalis) - a floating colony of hydrozoans

• By-the-wind-sailor (Velella velella) - a floating colony of hydrozoans

Learn some fun facts about them here.

Jellyfish can be found all around the UK coast, but they are most common in the warmer waters of the south and west. They are also found in estuaries and rivers.

Is the presence of jellyfish in UK waters a sign of climate change?

There is strong evidence to suggest that the presence of jellyfish in UK waters is a sign of climate change. Warmer sea temperatures and ocean acidification are both known to favour jellyfish growth and reproduction (Purcell et al., 2007; Attrill et al., 2007; Enrique-Navarro et al., 2021).

Moon jellyfish. Credit: Adobe Stock

Climate change is not the only factor that can affect jellyfish populations. Other factors, such as pollution and overfishing, can also play a role. However, climate change is likely to be the most significant factor affecting jellyfish populations in the long term.

As mentioned, jellyfish play an important role in the marine ecosystem. They are a food source for many marine animals, and they help to control the populations of other organisms. However, increasing jellyfish populations can have negative impacts on marine ecosystems and human communities. For example, jellyfish blooms can disrupt fisheries, damage fishing gear, and pose a risk to human health.

As climate change continues to warm the oceans, we can expect to see more jellyfish blooms in UK waters. It is important to understand the causes and impacts of jellyfish blooms so that we can develop effective management strategies.

The upcoming COP28, the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference, which will be held in Dubai from November 30 to December 12, 2023, is a critical opportunity for world leaders to come together and take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming. By addressing the root cause of climate change, we can help to mitigate the impacts of jellyfish population increases and protect the marine environment.

Conclusion:

Jellyfish are an important part of the marine ecosystem, but their increasing presence in UK waters is a cause for concern. Climate change is likely to play a role in this increase, and it is important to understand how this will affect jellyfish populations and the wider marine environment, and to prevent deleterious impacts of jellyfish blooms.

Conservation actions start now and you can help the Marine Conservation Society, a leading voice in the UK for jellyfish conservation, by reporting your jellyfish sighting. Learn to identify jellyfish and become a citizen scientist.

Happy World Jellyfish Day!

BEES