Climate change enforces to look beyond the plant – the example of pollinators

Abstract

Within global crop production 1961–2012, the share of pollinator independent crops increased twofold, but fourfold of pollinator dependent crops. Balanced diets within the boundaries of our planet require even more pollinator dependent crops. Particularly, Low and Middle Income Countries in the drylands produce pollinator dependent crops. However, climate change and agriculture increasingly cause risks for pollinators. Common reward-based seeding of wildflower strips is too expensive for these countries. Breeding towards pollinator independent crops might accelerate loss of pollinators. Recent publications warned that pollinator loss can reduce other ecosystem services supporting crop production. A new alternative approach called Farming with Alternative Pollinators (FAP) might fill the gap. FAP creates on-farm habitable conditions for pollinators and increases productivity and incomes per surface.