Pollination is the transfer of pollen between male and female parts of flowers to make fertilization and reproduction possible. The Pollination can occur due to wind (anemophilia), water (hydrogam) and by animals that are known as pollinators (or as a result).
Loose Pollinating agents play an important function to maintain a high genetic diversity From our country to help plants with their reproduction, whether it is graceful, wild and much of the fundamental crops of the Mediterranean diet.
In This sensory zoopolinization plays a vital function as a regulatory service of ecosystems in nature, worldwideBecause 87.5% (about 308,000 species) of the Angiospermen wanted plants (which have flowers) are completely or partially dependent on zoopolinization for sexual reproduction and the right genetic exchange
Teach children the importance of pollinators agents
In the collective imaginary Bees are normally displayed with the well -known meliferous, which is drawn with a body of yellow and black stripes. But alert! Because in fact there are only many more shapes and colors In Catalonia it is estimated that at least 700 species live. They all pollinate with more or less intensity and, if we pay attention, we can observe them where there are flowers that can feed: parks, meadows, agricultural spaces, gardens, gardens and even in the courtyard of schools.
It is exactly in this last room where the Alaasaules project was launched, financed by Fecyt and where Fundesssplai participates. In particular, the team works together with teachers and students from different basic courses from ten schools in Catalonia, their goal is that students Learn the enormous wealth of pollinating species, especially aimed at wild bees; Explain the key role of these insects to nature and for food production and also propose simple measures to favor them in the patio and therefore contribute to stop their generalized decrease.
This project is a pilot test that wants to bring the knowledge of wild bees closer to primary school students in an innovative way. That is, we don’t want to talk, but they can observe it with their own eyes. Also They learn to catch scientific data and to contribute to the preservation of pollinators.
“This project is a pilot test looking for Bring the knowledge of wild bees to primary schools In an innovative way. That is, we don’t want to talk, but they can observe it with their own eyes. Also that they learn to catch scientific data and to contribute to the preservation of pollinators ”, Explains Iraima Verkaik, member of the Alesaules project. According to the expert they have already been visited The 10 participating schools In the pilot project, and in general they see that students are looking forward to learning: “It is very worthwhile,” he says.
Instruction workshop
During the workshop, each group actively participates in finding the habitats where you can find these insects and, with the help of some Very illustrative sheets, identify them, count the food sources (flowers) and the pollinators they visit. To collect and identify the images, schools have the opportunity to use digital civil scientific platforms, such as fit count, onaturalist or search.
In addition to showing the variety of species and where they can be found, the project also encourages teachers and students to evaluate whether there are in the courtyard Habitats where bees can nest and feed and, from this knowledge, make Propose them to favor. “For example, unlike those who usually think, most nest nests in the ground and has bare soil zone of discovered earth, without vegetation or grass, exposed directly in the sun -” says Verkaik. Many other species make nests in cavities such as dead wooden holes, trunks, empty shells of snails or ‘hotels’ with reeds of different measures, “all structures that are easy to search and create.”
But, next to places to nest, the pollinators They also need flowers to feed“That is why diversity and availability during the year of indigenous flowers in flower is essential for Enjoy a variety of pollinators “ Explain the Anselm Rodrigo professor of the UAB. Another measure is to apply differentiated effects to promote continuous flowering, refuge and nesting. “All these actions can increase the populations or even the diversity of species pollinators ”, Add the researcher.
As the last exercise of Alesaules, the interested educational community, including teachers and students, will be a Proposal with concrete actions that help improve the habitat of pollinators in their courtyards. To do this, they will be based on earlier diagnosis, for example where more flowers are needed or in which places more rooms can be added to Nest, among other things.
More formed future generations
The loss of habitats, Agricultural intensification and urbanization are some of the causes that have led to the alarming decrease in pollinators in Catalonia. In this context, the project wants to demonstrate that the preservation of biodiversity starts in the nearest environment, which changes the most recent active protagonists of science and the protection of nature.
According to the team, thanks to this initiative Students have been able to discover a greater variety of pollinators than expected And they have become small experts to identify what these insects need. Moreover, the teaching staff emphasizes that the fact that scientists such as the Iraima Verkaik, Claudia Ortiz and Laura Roquer have gone some of the workshops Break sex who are still in classrooms, who are visible that women also do scientific research.
The schools of Catalonia participate in the project: Cooperative El Puig; John of Palà; Pia; Lacustrial; The pines; Vedruna San Sadurni from Anoia; Teresa van Pallejà; Montserdà Pains-Santapau; Esculapio and the figut space. Outside of work with these centers, Didactic material will also be published in an open way at the end of the project, “so that every school can use them“Lights Claudia Ortiz. Alasaula Pollinators.