Bees are the absolute queens of biodiversity. Without bees, there is no life. BeeOdiversity is fully inspired by the ingenuity of nature – and puts bees to work mapping out environmental pollution. Objective: to help companies and bees alike.
How do you measure the (polluting) impact of industrial plants? With a drone? That’s both expensive and very limited. Hence, bees are a logical alternative: they cover much larger areas, with thousands at a time. And they do it autonomously and very finely. In fact, each bee is a flying laboratory that collects thousands of plant samples daily. They then take them to the beehive. There, the trio of Michaël van Cutsem, Emmanuel Lion and Bach Kim Nguyen, co-initiators of BeeOdiversity, are ready to catch the bees and analyze the pollen.
Bach Kim did his PhD on bees, and how they are highly threatened by pollution. With the drive to take it one step further and better map pollution, he came up this BeeOmonitoring. Its’ purpose is to collect as much pollution data as possible, in collaboration with the bees of course!
Bees are real nature travelers: every day they “visit” thousands of plants in an area of several kilometers around the hive, in search of nectar and pollen. A real delicacy for bees, which serves as the basis for honey. Unintentionally bees also come into contact with dozens of other substances, either airborne or on plants. These include pesticides, heavy metals, dioxins, PFAS, etc.
Based on the results of this close monitoring of industrial sites, BeeOdiversity draws up recommendations for a greener working environment for companies. Recommendations can include therapeutic gardens and other ecologically responsible initiatives. Such as: a bee hive on the roof or in the garden!
As a bonus, this revised work environment with more respect and space for nature has a clear, positive impact on employees. It reduces the risks of burn-out or the adverse medical effects of diseases affecting the nervous system. That’s not only good for employee well-being, but also for the bees themselves. And so the circle is complete!
Bees help protect Spa water
BeeOdiversity bees are used for the protection of one of Belgium’s most famous natural products: the world-famous Spa water. About 400,000 bees watch over the vulnerable area there. They can detect polluting substances at an early stage, which is key. In this way, they guarantee for both water quality and the fragile biodiversity in the protected High Fens Nature Park. Certainly a strong example of “cross-pollination” between man and nature!
