[Pollinator] reprint available

[David Inouye]

Let me know if you want a copy.

Osterman, J., M. A. Aizen, J. C. Biesmeijer, J. Bosch, B. G. Howlett, D. 
W. Inouye, C. Jung, D. J. Martins, R. Medel, A. Pauw, C. L. Seymour and 
R. J. Paxton (2021). (2021). "Global trends in the number and diversity 
of managed pollinator species." Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 
322: 107653.
     Cultivation of pollinator-dependent crops has expanded globally, 
increasing our reliance on insect pollination. This essential ecosystem 
service is provided by a wide range of managed and wild pollinators 
whose abundance and diversity are thought to be in decline, threatening 
sustainable food production. The Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) is 
amongst the best-monitored insects but the state of other managed 
pollinators is less well known. Here, we review the status and trends of 
all managed pollinators based on publicly accessible databases and the 
published literature. We found that, on a global scale, the number of 
managed A. mellifera colonies has increased by 85% since 1961, driven 
mainly by Asia. This contrasts with high reported colony overwinter 
mortality, especially in North America (average 26% since 2007) and 
Europe (average 16% since 2007). Increasing agricultural dependency on 
pollinators as well as threats associated with managing non-native 
pollinators have likely spurred interest in the management of 
alternative species for pollination, including bumble bees, stingless 
bees, solitary bees, and flies that have higher efficiency in 
pollinating specific crops. We identify 66 insect species that have 
been, or are considered to have the potential to be, managed for crop 
pollination, including seven bumble bee species and subspecies currently 
commercially produced mainly for the pollination of greenhouse-grown 
tomatoes and two species that are trap-nested in New Zealand. Other 
managed pollinators currently in use include eight solitary bee species 
(mainly for pollination services in orchards or alfalfa fields) and 
three fly species (mainly used in enclosures and for seed production). 
Additional species in each taxonomic category are under consideration 
for pollinator management. Examples include 15 stingless bee species 
that are able to buzz-pollinate, will fly in enclosures, and some of 
which have a history of management for honey production; their use for 
pollination is not yet established. To ensure sustainable, integrated 
pollination management in agricultural landscapes, the risks, as well as 
the benefits of novel managed pollinator species must be considered. We, 
therefore, urge the prioritization of biodiversity-friendly measures 
maintaining native pollinator species diversity to provide ecosystem 
resilience to future environmental changes.

-- 
Dr. David W. Inouye
Professor Emeritus
Department of Biology
University of Maryland

Principal Investigator
Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory