Plant-pollinator interactions: A highly evolved synchrony at risk due to climate change

Abstract

Pollinators are an important component of crop-associated biodiversity and provide an essential ecosystem service to both natural and agricultural ecosystems. Approximately 80% of all flowering plant species are specialized for pollination by animals, mostly insects. Insects and plants react differently to changed temperature, creating temporal (phenological) and spatial (distributional) mismatches with severe demographic consequences for the species involved. Mismatches may affect plant by reduced insect visitation and pollen deposition, while pollinators experience reduced food availability. The effect of climate change on pollinators depends upon their thermal tolerance and plasticity to temperature changes. Data on the impacts of climate change on crop pollination is still limited, and investigations in this direction are very limited. This chapter deals with the potential effects of climate change on pollinators, including direct effects and indirect effects through their floral resources. Measures to enhance and conserve pollinators are also suggested.