A new study by researchers from the University of Texas at Arlington, the University of Nevada, Reno, and Virginia Tech University shows that climate change leads to reduced pollen production in plants and decreased pollen diversity, potentially threatening food production.

Bennaz Balmaki, lead author of the study and UTA Associate Professor of Biology, emphasized the importance of the study and said, “This study is critical because it examines the long-term effects of climate change on plant-pollinator interactions.” Specifically, the study examines how changes in flowering time and extreme weather events affect the availability of important food sources for pollinating insects.

Details and results of the research

The study was conducted in the Great Basin and Sierra Nevada Mountains, which cover about 95% of Nevada, as well as parts of California, Oregon, Idaho and Wyoming. This area is particularly suitable for this type of research because of the protective barrier the mountains provide against Pacific storms, rain and snow.

The Great Basin region is home to more than 200 species of butterflies, most of which are pollinators. Pollinators are important in agriculture because they carry pollen from the male parts of flowers to the female parts so they can be fertilized and produce fruit.

The research team set up 19 sampling points across the region and collected a large sample of butterflies to study how they spread pollen to plants. In addition to the newly collected specimens, the team also examined previously caught butterfly specimens obtained between 2000 and 2021 and stored at the University of Nevada, Reno Museum of Natural History.

“By analyzing 21 years of historical data, a very long period that provides a clear picture, this study provides a detailed perspective on the consequences of habitat loss, fragmented landscapes and changes in plant communities on pollination services,” Balmaki said. said. “Our innovative use of museum specimens to track changes in pollen adds a new dimension to understanding these dynamics. These findings are vital to inform conservation efforts aimed at reducing biodiversity loss and maintaining the ecological balance necessary to sustain natural ecosystems and human agriculture.” “

The critical role of pollinators in food security

The study also highlights the important role of pollinators in supporting food production, which is critical to humanity’s survival.

“Without effective pollination, many crops vital to the global food supply could die,” Balmaki warned. “Our study highlights the need to develop targeted conservation policies to protect pollinators and maintain essential pollination services during global warming, thereby addressing some of the most important environmental challenges of our time.”