Stevenson, Philip ORCID: 0000-0002-0736-3619 , Koch, Hauke, Nicolson, Susan W and Brown, Mark JF (2022) Natural processes influencing pollinator health. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 377 (1853):20210154. ISSN 0962-8436 (Print), 1471-2970 (Online) (doi:https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2021.0154)

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Abstract

Evidence from the last few decades indicates that pollinator abundance and diversity are at risk, with many species in decline. Anthropogenic impacts have been the focus of much recent work on the causes of these declines. However, natural processes from plant chemistry, nutrition and microbial associations to landscape and habitat change can also profoundly influence pollinator health. Here, we argue that these natural processes require greater attention and may even provide solutions to the deteriorating outlook for pollinators. Existing studies also focus on the decline of individual and colonies and only occasionally at population levels. Here we redefine pollinator health and argue that a top-down approach is required focusing at the ecological level of communities. We use examples from the primary research, opinion and review articles published in this special issue to illustrate how natural processes influence pollinator health from community to individuals and highlight where some of these processes could mitigate the challenges of anthropogenic and natural drivers of change.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	pollinator health; nectar and pollen chemistry; bee microbiome; pollinator community; pollen nutrition; floral landscape
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GF Human ecology. Anthropogeography S Agriculture > SD Forestry
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Engineering & Science Faculty of Engineering & Science > Natural Resources Institute Faculty of Engineering & Science > Natural Resources Institute > Agriculture, Health & Environment Department Faculty of Engineering & Science > Natural Resources Institute > Chemical Ecology Research Group
Related URLs:	Organisation
Last Modified:	05 May 2022 14:17
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/35774

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