A recent study from the Netherlands has shown a significant decline in plant species that rely on insects for pollination, sounding the alarm for biodiversity and food security. The data, collected over almost 90 years, reveals a decrease in insect-pollinated plants and an increase in wind-pollinated plants. This shift is particularly concerning as 75% of all crops and 90% of wild plants in the Netherlands rely on insect pollination, which could pose a threat to food security.
Ecologist Kaixuan Pan, a doctoral student at Leiden University, conducted the research, which also showed that 22% of insect-pollinated plants had already gone extinct between 1930 and 2017. These extinctions were primarily attributed to climate change and intensive agriculture. Losing these plants not only decreases plant species diversity but also reduces seeds and fruit available for other animals, leading to a decline in overall biodiversity.
The study analyzed a vast amount of data collected from 365,768 plots to identify trends and patterns related to insect-pollinated plants. Factors such as nitrogen, moisture levels, pH, and insect data were considered in the research, making it a unique and comprehensive study. The researchers found that the decline in insect-pollinated species was more significant compared to wind-pollinated species, indicating a lack of pollinators as a key factor in the loss of these plants.
To reverse this trend, the researchers suggest actions such as reducing nitrogen release into nature and safeguarding natural grasslands, which harbor many of the declining insect-pollinated plant species. Involving the local community in monitoring plant and insect diversity over time is also crucial to track the effectiveness of conservation measures. Environmental biologist Koos Biesmeijer emphasized the interdependence between plants and pollinators, highlighting the importance of collective efforts to address the declining trend in insect-pollinated plants.
Overall, the study underscores the critical role of insects in pollinating plants and maintaining biodiversity. By understanding and addressing the factors contributing to the decline of insect-pollinated species, there is hope for reversing this trend and preserving the vital relationship between plants and pollinators. Collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and communities is essential to monitor and protect these important plant species for future generations.
