Assistant Professor Dr John S. Ascher is an entomologist with the Department of Biological Sciences at the National University of Singapore, who has been described as the world's leading native bee taxonomist. Also a Research Associate at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum in Singapore, he joins us to share more about his work, which includes helping to create a world map of bee species, in order to enhance understanding of the geographical distributions of bee species, and to create a comprehensive understanding of global bee diversity. We also discuss the essential role of bees and other pollinators in agriculture, ecological balance, and biodiversity preservation, and why we must all “bee” engaged in their conservation efforts. 

Image Credit: National University of Singapore

Produced by: Juliet Jacobs

Presented by: Juliet Jacobs

This and more than 60,000 other podcasts in your hand. Download the all new BFM mobile app.

Categories:  environment

Tags:  bee taxonomy,  John Ascher,  apoidea,  American Museum of Natural History Bee Database Project,  the bigger picture,  earth matters,  bee conservation,  ecosystem services,  pollinators,  entomology,