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Bees are incredibly important to the planet, as they pollinate food crops and other plants. In fact, a third of the world's food production depends on pollination by bees - but unfortunately, their population has been in decline for the past four decades. Research carried out in the UK by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, in Wallingford, reveals climate change, a loss of habitat, disease, changes in agricultural practices and harmful pesticides are responsible for the loss of bees in the wild since 1980. Around 10% of bee species in Europe are already on the verge of extinction. Environmental groups estimate that further habitat loss and harmful pesticides can wipe out 15% to 20% of a bee colony in a bad year. If bees continue to decline, it could spell disaster for the planet. Other insects, including hoverflies, also pollinate food crops, but bees are the main pollinators. Without them, the whole ecosystem would be negatively impacted.   Why is pollen so important? Pollen is a tiny grain, comprising just a few cells. Produced by cone-bearing and flowering plants, pollen grains can be identified under a microscope by their size, shape and surface texture, as each species is unique. Plants need to be pollinated in order to reproduce. Without this process, plants won't produce fruit or seeds, nor the next generation of plants. Without pollination, the crops we eat wouldn't exist. While the popular image is of honeybees collecting nectar, a beehive of an average size can collect as much as 100 lbs of pollen as well in one summer season. Amazingly, honey bees will forage on only one kind of plant or flower on any single trip, which is nature's way of ensuring each species of plant is successfully cross-pollinated. The bees carry particles of pollen back to their hive on their hind legs. Back at the hive, they unload it and store it around the brood nest. It is mixed with honey and fed to the drones and workers to keep them healthy. Without pollen the bees, just like the plants, couldn't survive.   How can we attract bees? Certain plants should be planted in our garden to attract bees. Lavender is a firm favourite, according to a study by the University of Sussex, where scientists found the Gros Bleu and Hidcote giant varieties were particularly popular. The same study found honeybees also like blue borage flowers, commonly known as starflowers – a Mediterranean herb with edible flowers and leaves, used for medicinal purposes. Another herb that draws the bees is marjoram. The delicate white flowers of the abelia also entice bees - perhaps no surprise there, since the plant’s nickname is the "bee bush". It feeds bees from early spring right through until late autumn. Pussy willow trees are useful in early spring, when bees are on the hunt for a new place to set up their colony, as they help feed the queen bees at a time when pollen is scarce in March and April. Crocus flowers also attract bees, particularly in the spring. If you have them in your garden, they will reappear every year and are very easy to look after. Lilac flowers produce pollen and nectar. They have been attributed to helping the bee population to grow wherever they are planted. Blooming in spring and throughout the summer, bees are lured in by the brightly coloured leaves. For early summer bee fodder, Foxgloves are among the best early bloomers.   Reduce pesticides If you decide to make your garden bee-friendly, it is important you don't use harmful pesticides - one of the biggest reasons for their decline in the late 20th and early 21st century. It is best to stop using pesticides altogether to give nature a boost in your garden, or on your allotment. Scientists estimate that without bees, UK farmers would be faced with extra costs of £1.8 billion a year to manually pollinate crops. At least 13 bee species have become extinct in the UK since 1900, so it’s vital that we buck the trend now! The National Trust has produced handy hints on how to attract wildlife to our garden. When you're out doing the gardening, be aware of how to make your patch of land wildlife-friendly, including letting the grass grow. It's the norm to have short grass, mowed to perfection, but it can be one of the most useful, yet rarest of garden habitats. Letting your lawn grow longer will encourage wildflowers to grow, attracting butterflies. If you don't want to let your grass grow too long, try mowing it only once a month, so that plants that grow in shorter grass - such as white clover and daisies - will have the chance to flower. This will boost nectar yield for bees. Try cultivating climbing plants, such as ivy - a useful plant for wildlife. It is a good source of food and pollen and also provides cover all year round for birds and insects. Clematis and some rose species are also ideal climbing plants for wildlife.   Bee project in Cornwall In Cornwall, an unusual conservation project is helping save the Native Cornish Bee (from the family Apis Mellifera) from near extinction. Beekeepers at the National Trust property, Godolphin House, near Helston, have set up a natural haven for the native species. There are 20 hives there, each housing up to 50,000 bees. Bob Black, a former London musician, moved to Cornwall to become a beekeeper because he wanted to do something to help the environment. He is a member of the B4 community group of beekeepers, who are working on conservation projects to protect Cornish bees. The group now aims to set up similar bee havens across the UK, so that our native population can thrive once more. Attracting international attention; the project focuses on native bees and urges beekeepers not to import queens from abroad, so that British species have a good chance of making a comeback.