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New research shows that air pollutants from both urban and rural environments may be reducing the pollinating abilities of insects by preventing them from sniffing out the crops and wildflowers that depend on them.
Scientists from the University of Reading, the UK Center for Ecology & Hydrology, and the University of Birmingham found that there were up to 70% fewer pollinators, up to 90% fewer flower visits, and an overall pollination reduction of up to 31% in test plants when common ground-level air pollutants,
A study published in the journal Environmental Pollution is the first to show a negative impact of air pollutants on pollination. The theory is that pollutants change the scent of flowers, making them harder to find.
Dr. Girling said that they knew from previous lab studies that diesel exhaust can have negative effects on insect pollinators, but the impacts they found in the field were much more dramatic than they had expected.
The findings are worrying because they are found in the air many of us breathe every day. We know that these pollutants are bad for our health, and the reductions we saw in pollinator numbers and activity shows that there are clear implications for the natural ecosystems we depend on.
Diesel fumes have been shown to alter floral odors in previous laboratory studies. The work suggested that pollution could make it harder for pollinating insects to locate their food.
The impact this phenomenon has in nature, where insects provide pollination of important food crops and native wildflowers is less understood, so this new study aimed to gather evidence to investigate how air pollution affects different pollinating insect species, some of which rely on scent more than others.
The study was funded by the Natural Environment Research Council and used a purpose-built facility to regulate levels of NOx and ozone in an open field environment. Over the course of two summer field seasons, they observed the effects pollutants had on the pollination of black mustard plants by free-flying, locally-occurring pollinating insects.
They used pollution concentrations that were well below average levels to be safe for the environment.
This is not comparable to the pollution that occurs around the world due to violations of regulations. Outside of London, illegal levels of nitrogen dioxide were recorded in local authorities in large areas of northern and south England.
There were less pollinator visits to plants located in polluted air. The reduction was seen in seven groups. There were fewer flower visits by these insects, as well as a reduction in pollination based on seed yield and other factors.
Hundreds of billions of pounds worth of economic value are delivered every year by insect pollination. 70% of all crop species, including apples, strawberries and cocoa, rely on it, and it supports 8% of the total value of agricultural food production worldwide.
Researchers at the University of Reading are studying the effects of air pollution on insect health and their interactions with the environment.
The study showed how atmospheric pollutants negatively impact on pollination with direct consequences for food production as well as the resilience of our natural environment.
James M.W. Ryalls and his colleagues studied the effects of air pollutants on pollination services. There is an article in the Journal of Environmentalpol.
Environmental Pollution Journal information.
Air pollution reduces pollination by confusing butterflies and bees.
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