Wild pollinators are at risk, but pollination continues, why?

Wild Pollinators, the unsung heroes of our ecosystems, face dire straits. Climate change, exposure to pesticides, disease, and invasive species have contributed to significant declines in pollinator populations around the world, according to the latest findings, published in the journal Ecology Letters.

The decline not only poses a threat to biodiversity but also jeopardizes global food production. With approximately 75% of food crops dependent on pollination, urgent action is needed to address this crisis and ensure our future food security.

Wild pollinators

In simple words, pollination is the process by which plants reproduce, like sex in animals. When they bloom, their flowers are loaded with pollen that serves food for animals such as bees, butterflies, or hummingbirds.

As they go from flower to flower eating, they also carry pollen back and forth, ensuring the plants can continue their reproductive cycle for fruit formation.

The best-known pollinators, without a doubt, are bees. They are also the most abundant and, therefore, the most important. But there are a large number of animals that are dedicated to this work and that little by little have been decreasing due to the risks to which they are exposed.

A group of researchers from the Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg (MLU, for its acronym in German) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences conducted a study in which they found some worrying data on pollinator populations.

There they reviewed the data from 133 investigations that review the status of different species of pollinators. Using data from all continents except Antarctica, the researchers highlighted the importance of conserving nature in urban settings.

“There are many studies that have examined the relationship between urbanization, pollinators and pollination yield and have found negative effects. As this work is very complex and requires a lot of time, the studies are usually limited to specific cities or regions”, explains the biologist Panagiotis Theodorou, from the MLU, in a note issued by the institution on the research.

More about pollinator decline 

The growth of cities, and environmental, light and sound pollution have played a determining role in the decline of species of butterflies, and bees, among other animals. In addition, not only have they impacted their populations in number, but it has also made them less efficient in their pollination work.

Paradoxically, pollination has not decreased and the researchers find a reason that, although it may be beneficial in the short term, is not thinking about long-term environmental conservation.

The Apis mellifera, which is the most widely distributed bee species in the world, is the one used by beekeepers to promote pollination. The breeding of these bees is something carried out by professionals and amateurs, which is why these animals reproduce in large numbers worldwide.

Their existence guarantees that pollination can continue to develop, making the risk to other populations of pollinators imperceptible to many.

But, honey bees are also animals that massively consume available resources, leaving other pollinators such as butterflies or wild bees without food and habitat.

In the long term, and as the study shows that it is happening, between the human impact of urbanization and honey bees, the diversity and number of pollinators is decreasing, so the researchers recommend taking actions to start taking care of the ecosystems and design cities adapted to the needs of pollinators.

Climate change

climate change is the disruption of the synchronized time between the blooming of flowers and the active periods of pollinators. As temperatures fluctuate and the seasons become unpredictable, the delicate dance between plants and their pollinators gets thrown out of balance.

The desynchronization can cause a decrease in the availability of food for pollinators and a reduction in the number of successfully pollinated flowers. Ultimately, this threatens the reproduction and survival of both pollinators and the plant species with which they interact.

Pesticide exposure is another major threat to pollinators. Neonicotinoids, a widely used class of pesticides, have been found to be highly toxic to bees and other pollinators. Even sublethal exposure to these chemicals can affect a pollinator's ability to feed and reproduce effectively. The widespread use of neonicotinoids and other harmful pesticides has raised concerns about their long-term impact on pollinator populations and the general health of the ecosystems they support.

Diseases

Diseases also play a role in the decline of pollinators. Pollinators are vulnerable to various pathogens and parasites that can decimate their populations. For example, managed honey bees, which are widely used for commercial pollination services, can inadvertently spread disease to wild pollinators.

Invasive species pose another challenge for pollinators. Non-native plants or animals can compete with local species for resources, disturb habitats, and introduce new diseases, all of which have detrimental effects on pollinators. The loss of native flora due to invasive species reduces the availability of suitable food sources for pollinators, further exacerbating their decline.

The decline in pollinators not only affects natural ecosystems, but also has profound implications for our global food security. Without pollinators, many crops that provide essential nutrients and sustenance would struggle to produce viable fruits, vegetables, and seeds. The loss of pollinators could lead to decreased crop yields, increased food prices, and a potential threat to human nutrition and well-being.

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