Reference no: EM133191653 , Length: Word count: 2 Pages
Assignment Background:
Pollinators such as bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, birds, and bats play a key role in the life cycle of many flowering plants. By carrying pollen from flower to flower, pollinators enable plants to produce seeds. These seeds, in turn, allow for new generations of plants to grow.
Three-fourths of the world's flowering plants depend on pollinators to reproduce, and humans and animals alike depend on these plants for survival. Most fruit, vegetable, and seed crops--and other plants that provide fiber, medicines, and fuel--are pollinated by animals. In fact, nearly one out of every three bites of food we eat exists because of animal pollinators!
Pollinators also play important roles in land-based food webs. For example, some 96% of terrestrial birds (including species that eat seeds and fruits as adults) raise their young on insects, including insect pollinators.
Pollinators have a significant economic impact. In 2010, crops pollinated by honeybees and other insects contributed $29 billion to farm income in the United States.
In addition to providing pollination services, honeybees (which are not native to North America but are common and important pollinators) produce a variety of substances that are used by humans, including honey, wax, and propolis. In 2017, the United States honey industry was responsible for more than 22,000 jobs and its total economic output was $4.74 billion.
Pollinators face many challenges in the modern world, including habitat loss, disease, parasites, and pollution. But, there are many things we can do to help pollinators! Adding native, pollinator-friendly plants to the landscape to provide pollen and nectar, reducing the use of pesticides, and leaving areas for native grasses and shrubs to grow are all conservation practices that will help support pollinator survival.
A world without pollinators would certainly be less colorful, less fruitful, and less productive which is why I hope you will illustrate the importance of keeping the environment healthy so our pollinators can continue to do their jobs!
- The poster size is 8.5"x11" (standard computer paper size)
- Any media may be used to create a 2D (flat) effect, including paint, marker, ink, crayon, charcoal, colored pencil, stickers, collage, wallpaper, magazines, photos, digitally-designed graphics such as Google Drawings, and flat objects found in nature.
- Once posters are complete, make a .pdf, .jpg, or .png of your entry using a scanner or camera (or, in the case of digital illustrations, convert the image to a .pdf, .jpg, or .png file type).
Evaluation:
Posters will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
- Conservation Message: poster illustrates examples of pollinators, why pollinators are important, and/or how we can protect and promote pollinators through conservation practices.
- Visual Effectiveness: poster attracts attention, uses colors and white space effectively, is easy to read, is neat, and makes good use of color and shading.
- Originality
- Universal Appeal: The information conveyed on the poster is relevant around the world.