Pollinators: First global risk index for species declines and effects on humanity

Date:
August 16, 2021
Source:
University of Cambridge
Summary:
Disappearing habitats and use of pesticides are driving the loss of
pollinator species around the world, posing a threat to 'ecosystem
services' that provide food and wellbeing to many millions -
particularly in the Global South - as well as billions of dollars
in crop productivity.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Disappearing habitats and use of pesticides are driving the loss of
pollinator species around the world, posing a threat to "ecosystem
services" that provide food and wellbeing to many millions --
particularly in the Global South -- as well as billions of dollars in
crop productivity.


==========================================================================
This is according to an international panel of experts, led by the
University of Cambridge, who used available evidence to create the first planetary risk index of the causes and effects of dramatic pollinator
declines in six global regions.

The bees, butterflies, wasps, beetles, bats, flies and hummingbirds that distribute pollen, vital for the reproduction of over 75% of food crops
and flowering plants -- including coffee, rapeseed and most fruits --
are visibly diminishing the world over, yet little is known of the
consequences for human populations.

"What happens to pollinators could have huge knock-on effects
for humanity," said Dr Lynn Dicks from Cambridge's Department of
Zoology. "These small creatures play central roles in the world's
ecosystems, including many that humans and other animals rely on for
nutrition. If they go, we may be in serious trouble." Dicks assembled a 20-strong team of scientists and indigenous representatives to attempt
an initial evaluation of the drivers and risks for pollinator declines worldwide. The research is published today in Nature Ecology & Evolution.

The top three global causes of pollinator loss are habitat destruction, followed by land management -- primarily the grazing, fertilizers
and crop monoculture of farming -- and then widespread pesticide use,
according to the study. The effect of climate change comes in at number
four, although data are limited.



========================================================================== Perhaps the biggest direct risk to humans across all regions is "crop pollination deficit": falls in quantity and quality of food and biofuel
crops.

Experts ranked the risk of crop yield "instability" as serious or high
across two-thirds of the planet -- from Africa to Latin America --
where many rely directly on pollinated crops through small-holder farming.

"Crops dependent on pollinators fluctuate more in yield than, for example, cereals," said Dicks. "Increasingly unusual climatic phenomena, such as
extreme rainfall and temperature, are already affecting crops. Pollinator
loss adds further instability -- it's the last thing people need."
A major 2016 report to which Lynn Dicks contributed suggested there has
been up to a 300% increase in pollinator-dependent food production over
the past half century, with an annual market value that may be as much
as US$577 billion.

Reduced species diversity was seen as a high-ranking global risk to
humans, which not only risks food security but a loss of "aesthetic and cultural value." These species have been emblems of nature for millennia,
argue the experts, and too little consideration is given to how their
declines affect human wellbeing.

"Pollinators have been sources of inspiration for art, music, literature
and technology since the dawn of human history," said Dicks. "All the
major world religions have sacred passages about bees. When tragedy struck Manchester in 2017, people reached for bees as a symbol of community
strength." "Pollinators are often the most immediate representatives
of the natural world in our daily lives. These are the creatures that
captivate us early in life. We notice and feel their loss. Where are
the clouds of butterflies in the late summer garden, or the myriad moths fluttering in through open windows at night?"


==========================================================================
"We are in the midst of a species extinction crisis, but for many
people that is intangible. Perhaps pollinators are the bellwether of
mass extinction," said Dicks.

Loss of access to "managed pollinators" such as industrial beehives was
ranked as a high risk to North American society, where they boost crops including apples and almonds, and have suffered serious declines from
disease and 'colony collapse disorder'.

The impact of pollinator decline on wild plants and fruits was viewed a
serious risk in Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America -- regions with
many low-income countries where rural populations rely on wild-growing
foods.

In fact, Latin America was viewed as the region with most to lose. Insect- pollinated crops such as cashew, soybean, coffee and cocoa are essential
to regional food supply and international trade right across the
continent. It is also home to large indigenous populations reliant on pollinated plants, with pollinator species such as hummingbirds embedded
in oral culture and history.

Asia Pacific was another global region where pollinator decline was
perceived to pose serious risks to human well-being. China and India are increasingly reliant on fruit and vegetable crops that need pollinators,
some of which now require people to pollinate by hand.

The researchers caution that not enough is known about the state of
pollinator populations in the Global South, as evidence of decline is
still primarily from wealthy regions such as Europe (where at least 37%
of bee and 31% of butterfly species are in decline). Pollination deficits
and biodiversity loss were seen as the biggest risks to Europeans,
with potential to affect crops ranging from strawberries to oilseed rape.

Dr Tom Breeze, co-author and Ecological Economics Research Fellow at
the University of Reading, said: "This study highlights just how much
we still don't know about pollinator decline and the impacts this has
on human societies, particularly in parts of the developing world.

"While we have data on how pollinators are doing in regions
like Europe, there are significant knowledge gaps in many
others. More research is needed on a global level so we can really
understand the problems we face, and how we might address them." ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Cambridge. Original
written by Fred Lewsey.

Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Lynn V. Dicks, Tom D. Breeze, Hien T. Ngo, Deepa Senapathi,
Jiandong An,
Marcelo A. Aizen, Parthiba Basu, Damayanti Buchori, Leonardo
Galetto, Lucas A. Garibaldi, Barbara Gemmill-Herren, Brad
G. Howlett, Vera L.

Imperatriz-Fonseca, Steven D. Johnson, Aniko' Kova'cs-Hostya'nszki,
Yong Jung Kwon, H. Michael G. Lattorff, Thingreipi Lungharwo,
Coleen L.

Seymour, Adam J. Vanbergen & Simon G. Potts. A global-scale expert
assessment of drivers and risks associated with pollinator decline.

Nature Ecology & Evolution, 2021 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-021-01534-9 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/08/210816112104.htm

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