Plant-pollinator conservation from the perspective of systems-ecology

BORCHARDT, K. E; MORALES, C. L.; AIZEN, M. A.; TOTH, A. L.

Current Opinion in Insect Science

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2021 vol. 320

Ecosystems are interconnected and complex, butconservation has often focused on rehabilitating individualspecies. A systems-ecology approach aims to support overallstructure and maintain functions of the whole ecosystem, andmay be especially pertinent for mutualistic plant?pollinatorcommunities. This approach focuses on species interactionsas the units to be conserved within the larger ecosystem.Analyzing species interactions is a more holistic approachbecause it incorporates a broader web of organisms, andconsiders the plethora of potential indirect influences frominteracting partners. In this article, we suggest pollinatorresearchers focus on plant?pollinator networks to informconservation programs and best support the coexistence ofpollinators and plants within natural and agricultural systems.We propose that a system-ecology perspective is the mostpromising way to simultaneously improve pollinatorconservation, agricultural sustainability, and human well-being.