Farming with alternative pollinators

The relationship between plants and pollinators is widely recognized as one of the most significant forms of ecological interactions [1]. Without pollinators, numerous plant species could not reproduce. Additionally, many animals rely on plants for essential resources such as pollen and nectar. This...

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Main Authors: Paparella, Antonio, Petsakos, Athanasios, Davis, Kristin E., Song, Chun
Format: Brief
Language:Inglés
Published: International Food Policy Research Institute 2025
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/177484
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author Paparella, Antonio
Petsakos, Athanasios
Davis, Kristin E.
Song, Chun
author_browse Davis, Kristin E.
Paparella, Antonio
Petsakos, Athanasios
Song, Chun
author_facet Paparella, Antonio
Petsakos, Athanasios
Davis, Kristin E.
Song, Chun
author_sort Paparella, Antonio
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description The relationship between plants and pollinators is widely recognized as one of the most significant forms of ecological interactions [1]. Without pollinators, numerous plant species could not reproduce. Additionally, many animals rely on plants for essential resources such as pollen and nectar. This relationship is remarkably frequent in nature, with an estimated 87% of flowering plants pollinating through animal interaction [2]. Consequently, pollinators are also essential for humanity, especially for their contribution to food security since they are necessary to produce various crop commodities [3]. The production of medicines, biofuels, and construction materials relies, to some extent, on the pollination carried out by animals. Finally, the livelihood of many people is based on beekeeping and honey gathering, which are ancient activities yet still important in many rural communities [3]. Pollination is a recognized ecosystem service, and its economic value has been assessed numerous times [4], [5], [6]. However, we witness a rapid biodiversity decline in terms of wild pollinators, which is caused by human activities [7]. Among the factors leading to this decline, the intensive and improper use of agrochemicals is arguably the most severe [8]. For instance, the practice of seed coating with systemic pesticides (such as Imidacloprid) affects the nectar and pollen, causing a potential threat to pollinators [9], [10]. Habitat fragmentation, loss, and degradation are also important drivers of the decline of wild pollinators. These can be caused by urbanization, removal of “waste places” like hedgerows and field margins, and (over)grazing and early cutting of hay meadows [8]. Climate change is an additional risk, interrupting the timely synchronization of plant-pollinator interactions
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spelling CGSpace1774842025-12-08T10:29:22Z Farming with alternative pollinators Paparella, Antonio Petsakos, Athanasios Davis, Kristin E. Song, Chun pollinators integrated pest management natural resources nature conservation The relationship between plants and pollinators is widely recognized as one of the most significant forms of ecological interactions [1]. Without pollinators, numerous plant species could not reproduce. Additionally, many animals rely on plants for essential resources such as pollen and nectar. This relationship is remarkably frequent in nature, with an estimated 87% of flowering plants pollinating through animal interaction [2]. Consequently, pollinators are also essential for humanity, especially for their contribution to food security since they are necessary to produce various crop commodities [3]. The production of medicines, biofuels, and construction materials relies, to some extent, on the pollination carried out by animals. Finally, the livelihood of many people is based on beekeeping and honey gathering, which are ancient activities yet still important in many rural communities [3]. Pollination is a recognized ecosystem service, and its economic value has been assessed numerous times [4], [5], [6]. However, we witness a rapid biodiversity decline in terms of wild pollinators, which is caused by human activities [7]. Among the factors leading to this decline, the intensive and improper use of agrochemicals is arguably the most severe [8]. For instance, the practice of seed coating with systemic pesticides (such as Imidacloprid) affects the nectar and pollen, causing a potential threat to pollinators [9], [10]. Habitat fragmentation, loss, and degradation are also important drivers of the decline of wild pollinators. These can be caused by urbanization, removal of “waste places” like hedgerows and field margins, and (over)grazing and early cutting of hay meadows [8]. Climate change is an additional risk, interrupting the timely synchronization of plant-pollinator interactions 2025-10-31 2025-10-31T17:30:26Z 2025-10-31T17:30:26Z Brief https://hdl.handle.net/10568/177484 en Open Access application/pdf International Food Policy Research Institute Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture Paparella, Antonio; Petsakos, Athanasios; Davis, Kristin E.; and Song, Chun. 2025. Farming with alternative pollinators. Agricultural Management Practices to Mitigate Nature Loss Brief 8. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute and Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/177484
spellingShingle pollinators
integrated pest management
natural resources
nature conservation
Paparella, Antonio
Petsakos, Athanasios
Davis, Kristin E.
Song, Chun
Farming with alternative pollinators
title Farming with alternative pollinators
title_full Farming with alternative pollinators
title_fullStr Farming with alternative pollinators
title_full_unstemmed Farming with alternative pollinators
title_short Farming with alternative pollinators
title_sort farming with alternative pollinators
topic pollinators
integrated pest management
natural resources
nature conservation
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/177484
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