The results of the study indicate that wild pollinators have a greater effect on plant reproduction than honey bees. In the photo a sphinx of hummingbird (Macroglossum stellatarum).
UPV and BC3.
By transporting pollen from one place to another, pollinating animals play an important role in the reproduction of plants. About 85% of wild plants and more than 70% of crop plants use pollination to reproduce. But the diversity of pollinating species is declining due to climate change, habitat loss and intensification of agriculture.
Most of the studies that have been carried out on this subject are focused on what happens when the pollinators disappear completely, and such studies have been carried out mainly with crop species. In this study, led by Maddi Artamendi and Ainhoa Magrach of BC3, a researcher in the Department of Plant Biology and Ecology of the UPV/EHU, however, a more realistic approach has been chosen. In fact, they explain that the diversity of pollinators will decrease, it is decreasing, but it will not disappear completely. And, in addition to crop plants, wild plants have also been considered.
Research has shown that a reduction in the diversity of pollinating animals has a significant negative effect on the reproductive success of plants (number of fruits, number of seeds and weight of fruits), in addition to the fact that the effect is greater in wild plants than in crops. It has also been found that plants capable of self-pollination are also affected by the loss of pollinator diversity.
The results indicate that wild pollinators have a greater impact on the reproductive success of plants than honey bees. On the other hand, the loss of invertebrate pollinators is more pronounced than the loss of vertebrate pollinators; the loss of nocturnal pollinators is more pronounced than the loss of daytime walkers; and the loss of wild pollinators is more pronounced than the loss of domestic pollinators.
The research has been carried out through meta-analysis: using statistical tools, synthesizing data from a large collection of research. Thus, Artamendi and Magrach have carried out a meta-analysis of 207 studies carried out in 46 countries.
The researchers conclude that all pollinators have their role in both crop and wild plants. There are many more pollinators than honey bees, and they have all found great importance in the reproductive success of plants and in maintaining plant diversity. Thus, the researchers emphasize that we should not only focus on crop plants and bees, but that there is a need to broaden the focus; and that there is an urgent need to mitigate the factors that reduce pollinator diversity.
