Pervasive human-driven decline of life on Earth points to the need for transformative change

Science, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 366(6471)

Published: Dec. 13, 2019

The human impact on life Earth has increased sharply since the 1970s, driven by demands of a growing population with rising average per capita income. Nature is currently supplying more materials than ever before, but this come at high cost unprecedented global declines in extent and integrity ecosystems, distinctness local ecological communities, abundance number wild species, domesticated varieties. Such changes reduce vital benefits that people receive from nature threaten quality future generations. Both an expanding economy costs reducing nature's are unequally distributed. fabric which we all depend-nature its contributions to people-is unravelling rapidly. Despite severity threats lack enough progress tackling them date, opportunities exist change trajectories through transformative action. action must begin immediately, however, address root economic, social, technological causes deterioration.

Language: Английский

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The worldwide importance of honey bees as pollinators in natural habitats

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 285(1870), P. 20172140 - 20172140

Published: Jan. 10, 2018

The western honey bee ( Apis mellifera ) is the most frequent floral visitor of crops worldwide, but quantitative knowledge its role as a pollinator outside managed habitats largely lacking. Here we use global dataset 80 published plant–pollinator interaction networks well effectiveness measures from 34 plant species to assess importance A. in natural habitats. averaging 13% visits across all (range 0–85%), with 5% recorded being exclusively visited by . For 33% and 49% species, however, visitation was never observed, illustrating that many flowering taxa assemblages remain dependent on non- visitors for pollination. higher warmer, less variable climates mainland rather than island sites, did not differ between native introduced ranges. With respect single-visit pollination effectiveness, average visitor, though it generally effective visitor. Our results argue deeper understanding how , potential future changes range abundance, shape ecology, evolution, conservation plants, pollinators, their interactions

Language: Английский

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Underestimating the Challenges of Avoiding a Ghastly Future

Frontiers in Conservation Science, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 1

Published: Jan. 13, 2021

We report three major and confronting environmental issues that have received little attention require urgent action. First, we review the evidence future conditions will be far more dangerous than currently believed. The scale of threats to biosphere all its lifeforms — including humanity is in fact so great it difficult grasp for even well-informed experts. Second, ask what political or economic system, leadership, prepared handle predicted disasters, capable such Third, this dire situation places an extraordinary responsibility on scientists speak out candidly accurately when engaging with government, business, public. especially draw lack appreciation enormous challenges creating a sustainable future. added stresses human health, wealth, well-being perversely diminish our capacity mitigate erosion ecosystem services which society depends. science underlying these strong, but awareness weak. Without fully appreciating broadcasting problems enormity solutions required, fail achieve modest sustainability goals.

Language: Английский

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Invasive alien plant species: Their impact on environment, ecosystem services and human health

Ecological Indicators, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 111, P. 106020 - 106020

Published: Jan. 9, 2020

Language: Английский

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A systems approach reveals urban pollinator hotspots and conservation opportunities

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 3(3), P. 363 - 373

Published: Jan. 10, 2019

Language: Английский

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Artificial light at night as a new threat to pollination

Nature, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 548(7666), P. 206 - 209

Published: Aug. 1, 2017

Language: Английский

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Overview of Bee Pollination and Its Economic Value for Crop Production

Insects, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 12(8), P. 688 - 688

Published: July 31, 2021

Pollination plays a significant role in the agriculture sector and serves as basic pillar for crop production. Plants depend on vectors to move pollen, which can include water, wind, animal pollinators like bats, moths, hoverflies, birds, bees, butterflies, wasps, thrips, beetles. Cultivated plants are typically pollinated by animals. Animal-based pollination contributes 30% of global food production, bee-pollinated crops contribute approximately one-third total human dietary supply. Bees considered due their effectiveness wide availability. Bee provides excellent value quality quantity, improving economic outcomes. This review highlights played bee pollination, influences economy, enlists different types bees other insects associated with pollination.

Language: Английский

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A global-scale expert assessment of drivers and risks associated with pollinator decline

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 5(10), P. 1453 - 1461

Published: Aug. 16, 2021

Language: Английский

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Ecological intensification to mitigate impacts of conventional intensive land use on pollinators and pollination

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 20(5), P. 673 - 689

Published: March 27, 2017

Abstract Worldwide, human appropriation of ecosystems is disrupting plant–pollinator communities and pollination function through habitat conversion landscape homogenisation. Conversion to agriculture destroying degrading semi‐natural while conventional land‐use intensification (e.g. industrial management large‐scale monocultures with high chemical inputs) homogenises structure quality. Together, these anthropogenic processes reduce the connectivity populations erode floral nesting resources undermine pollinator abundance diversity, ultimately services. Ecological represents a strategic alternative ameliorate drivers decline supporting sustainable food production, by promoting biodiversity beneficial agricultural production practices such as intercropping, crop rotations, farm‐level diversification reduced agrochemical use. We critically evaluate its potential address reverse land use trends currently potentially causing widespread deficits. find that many constitute ecological can contribute mitigating decline. Our findings support solution declines, we discuss ways promote it in policy practice.

Language: Английский

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Urban areas as hotspots for bees and pollination but not a panacea for all insects

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 11(1)

Published: Jan. 29, 2020

Abstract Urbanisation is an important global driver of biodiversity change, negatively impacting some species groups whilst providing opportunities for others. Yet its impact on ecosystem services poorly investigated. Here, using a replicated experimental design, we test how Central European cities flying insects and the service pollination. City sites have lower insect richness, particularly Diptera Lepidoptera, than neighbouring rural sites. In contrast, Hymenoptera, especially bees, show higher richness flower visitation rates in cities, where our experimentally derived measure pollination correspondingly higher. As well as revealing facets (e.g. phylogenetic diversity) that correlate with pollination, also find ecotones insect-friendly green cover surrounding both urban boost Appropriately managed could enhance conservation Hymenoptera thereby act hotspots bees provide to wild flowers crops grown settings.

Language: Английский

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