Air pollution makes it harder for bees to smell flowers
Air pollution reduces insect pollination, with studies showing up to 70% fewer insects visiting flowers due to pollutants like ozone. This threatens many plants reliant on animal pollinators.
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Air pollution significantly impacts the ability of insects to pollinate plants, as demonstrated by recent studies. Research conducted by ecologist James Ryalls and colleagues in southern England revealed that mustard plants exposed to ozone and nitrogen oxides—common pollutants—experienced a dramatic reduction in insect visits, with up to 70% fewer insects and 90% fewer visits to flowers compared to unpolluted plants. This decline in pollination is concerning, given that many plants, including 75% of wild flowering species and 35% of food crops, depend on animal pollinators. The study found that even self-fertilizing plants like black mustard showed a 14% to 31% decrease in successful pollination due to pollution.
Pollutants alter the chemical composition of floral scents, making it difficult for insects to recognize and locate flowers. For instance, ozone can degrade scent compounds, shortening the distance over which these scents can travel. In experiments, honeybees trained to recognize specific floral scents failed to respond when those scents were altered by ozone exposure. Additionally, pollution may impair insects' memory and learning abilities, further complicating their ability to associate scents with food sources.
The broader implications of these findings suggest that air pollution could exacerbate existing declines in insect populations, which are already threatened by habitat loss and climate change. Ongoing research aims to better understand the extent and mechanisms of these effects on pollination and plant reproduction.
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