benaz valmaki
A new peer-reviewed study by researchers at the University of Texas at Arlington. University of Nevada, Reno. Virginia Tech shows that climate change could reduce pollen production from plants and reduce pollen diversity more than previously thought, with significant implications for food production .
“This study is extremely important because it examines the long-term effects of climate change on plant-pollinator interactions,” said Benaz Barmaki, lead author of the study and research assistant professor of biology at UTA. Stated. “This study investigates how changes in flowering time and extreme weather events affect the availability of important food sources for insect pollinators.”
This study innovatively used museum specimens to track changes in pollen.
The research team, which included UTA's Masoud A. Rostami, focused their study on the Great Basin and Sierra Nevada Mountains. The Great Basin, which includes about 95% of Nevada and parts of California, Oregon, Idaho, and Wyoming, is a popular choice because the mountain range protects the region from Pacific storms, rain, and snow. It is an ideal location for the study of species.
The Great Basin region is home to more than 200 species of butterflies, many of which act as pollinators. Pollinators are important in agriculture because they transport pollen from the male part of the flower to the female part, allowing fertilization and fruit set.
The researchers set up 19 collection sites across the region and collected a wide range of butterfly samples to study how butterflies distribute pollen to plants. In addition to the newly collected samples, the researchers also examined samples from previously captured butterflies taken between 2000 and 2021 that are housed at the University of Nevada, Reno Museum of Natural History.
“By analyzing 21 years of historical data, a very long period of time that provides a clear view, this study shows the impact of habitat loss, fragmented landscapes, and changes in plant communities on pollination services. “We provide a detailed outlook on the future,” said Valmaki. “The innovative use of museum specimens to track changes in pollen has added a new dimension to our understanding of these dynamics. These discoveries have implications for maintaining natural ecosystems and human agriculture. “This is essential for informing conservation efforts aimed at reducing biodiversity loss and maintaining ecosystem balance.”
Another important aspect of this study is that it highlights the deep importance of pollinators in sustaining food production essential for human consumption and survival.
“Without effective pollination, many crops essential to the world's food supply could fail,” Valmaki said. “Our research highlights the need to develop targeted conservation policies to protect pollinators and maintain essential pollination services during global warming, thereby ensuring that modern Addressing some of the most significant environmental challenges.”
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