The Quiet Work of Honey Bees

When people think of bees, they usually think of honey. In Oman, beekeepers in the mountains of Dhofar and the villages of the interior produce some of the finest honey in the region. Sidr honey, made from the flowers of the Sidr tree, can sell for a very high price.

However, honey is only a small part of the story. As bees fly from flower to flower collecting nectar, they carry pollen on their bodies. This pollen helps plants produce fruit and seeds. Scientists estimate that about one third of the food we eat depends on this process, known as pollination.

A single hive can contain tens of thousands of bees, and each one has a job. Some clean the hive, some protect the entrance, and others travel several kilometres a day to find food. When a bee discovers a good source of flowers, it returns and performs a special 'dance' that tells the others where to go.

In many parts of the world, bee numbers are falling. Pesticides, loss of wild flowers and hotter summers all put pressure on hives. Omani beekeepers have noticed that in very dry years, their bees produce much less honey, and some colonies do not survive.