Declining pollinator populations are linked to a drop in insect-dependent plant species
In short: Researchers studying bee and hoverfly populations in Britain and the Netherlands found that local bee diversity has decreased since 1980. This decline in pollinators appears to coincide with a reduction in the number of outcrossing plant species that rely on them for reproduction.
By comparing species data from before and after 1980, the study observed that declines were most common among nonmigratory species and those specialized to specific habitats or flowers. The researchers suggest a causal link between the loss of these pollinators and the decline of the plants they service, though the study focuses on specific regional assemblages.
The findings highlight how the loss of specialized insects can trigger a ripple effect through local ecosystems.
Why it matters: The loss of specialized pollinators may drive the decline of the plant species that depend on them.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Research: Biesmeijer et al. (2006). Parallel Declines in Pollinators and Insect-Pollinated Plants in Britain and the Netherlands. Science.
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