Animal pollination increases stability of crop yield across spatial scales

Abstract

The benefits of animal pollination to crop yield are well known. In contrast, the effects of animal pollination on the spatial or temporal stability (the opposite of variability) of crop yield remain poorly understood. We use meta-analysis to combine variability information from 215 experimental comparisons between animal-pollinated and wind-or self-pollinated control plants in apple, oilseed rape and faba bean. Animal pollination increased yield stability (by an average of 32% per unit of yield) at between-flower, -plant, -plot and -field scales.Evidence suggests this occurs because yield benefits of animal pollination become progressively constrained closer to the maximum potential yield in a given context, causing clustering. The increase in yield stability with animal pollination is greatest when yield benefits of animal pollination are greatest, indicating that managing crop pollination to increase yield also increases yield stability. These additional pollination benefits have not yet been included in economic assessments but provide further justification for policies to protect pollinators.

The “Plastic Age”: From Endocrine Disruptors to Microplastics – An Emerging Threat to Pollinators

“…Pollinators are key pieces of terrestrial ecosystems and underpin its successful functioning [36,37]. A large number of plant species depend on these animals to fertilize and reproduce, and have co-evolved since ancient times [38], and these relationships are essential to maintain the ecological communities [39,40]. Pollination can occur via wind or water, and via animal [38].…”

Bumblebee responses to variation in pollinator‐attracting traits of Vicia faba flowers

“…Vicia faba (Figure 1) is an ideal system in which to measure intraspecific floral trait variation and its effect on floral attractiveness. The crop benefits from bee pollination, with an average of ~33% of yield lost in the absence of bees and an increase in yield stability of ~19% when pollinators are present (Bishop et al., 2022; Bishop & Nakagawa, 2021). Depending on the locality grown, the pollinating species vary, with Bombus spp., Apis mellifera and Eucera spp.…”

“…Many important crops are animal‐pollinated, and pollinator visitation is required to differing extents to achieve maximum yield (depending on their breeding system and degree of self‐compatibility; Klein et al., 2007). In addition to overall yield, visitation by pollinators can improve the yield stability, quality and overall value of animal‐pollinated crops (Bishop et al., 2022; Garratt et al., 2014; Gazzea et al., 2023). In general, increased visitation rates to crops by honey bees are associated with higher seed set, up until an optimum level (Rollin & Garibaldi, 2019).…”

Epidemiology of the Microsporidium Nosema ceranae in Four Mediterranean Countries

“…The conservation of the abundance and diversity of insect pollinators is a decisive action to avoid the negative impact that the lack of these insects can have on agriculture, food production and security, and environmental sustainability. In this regard, managed honey bees are a suitable species that can easily be located in areas where they serve as a central pollination structure for a wide range of crops and a variety of wild flowers, which, in their absence, are not sustainable [1,2].…”

“…One colony with no data of N. ceranae intra-colony infection in the two months prior to death 2. Data corresponds to two sampling rounds prior to death.…”