Many animals influence and contribute to ecosystem services. As pollinators, how do bees ultimately contribute to direct ecosystem services?(1 point)
Responses
Bees pollinate plant species that humans admire in nature.
Bees pollinate plant species that produce oxygen that humans need.
Bees pollinate plant species that produce food.
Bees pollinate plant species that contribute to the carbon cycle.
Bees pollinate plant species that produce food. They are essential for the pollination of many crops and plants that humans rely on for food production. Without bees, food production would be severely impacted, ultimately affecting human survival. Therefore, bees contribute to direct ecosystem services through their role as pollinators of food-producing plant species.
To determine the correct answer, let's break down the options and analyze their relevance to bees' role as pollinators.
1. Bees pollinate plant species that humans admire in nature.
Although this statement highlights the aesthetic value of pollinated plants, it does not directly address the concept of ecosystem services. Admiration for nature is subjective and does not encompass the essential services bees provide.
2. Bees pollinate plant species that produce oxygen that humans need.
While it is true that plants produce oxygen through photosynthesis, the primary source of oxygen on Earth is from marine phytoplankton, not land plants. Bees' pollination role primarily focuses on the reproductive process of plants, rather than directly contributing to oxygen production.
3. Bees pollinate plant species that produce food.
This statement correctly identifies one of the key ecosystem services provided by bees. Bees play a crucial role in pollinating various crop plants, leading to the production of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds that humans rely on as essential sources of food.
4. Bees pollinate plant species that contribute to the carbon cycle.
This statement touches upon the broader ecological significance of pollination, as bees contribute to the carbon cycle indirectly through their pollination activities. By facilitating the sexual reproduction of plant species, bees ensure the survival and growth of plants, which play a vital role in absorbing carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) from the atmosphere.
Based on the analysis, the correct answer is:
- Bees pollinate plant species that produce food.
The correct answer is:
Bees pollinate plant species that produce food.