Abstract
It is increasingly recognized that a sustainable future for agriculture must build on ecosystem services. Pollination is an important ecosystem service in all agroecosystems. In much of Africa the main challenge is conserving pollinator biodiversity in traditionally “ecologically-intensive” agroecosystems that are changing to meet different demands for food security and poverty alleviation, rather than safeguarding pollination in transition from conventional agricultural systems, with a high reliance on purchased inputs, to “ecologically-intensive” agroecosystems using natural inputs provided by biodiversity. Priority issues for research and development in pollination services in Africa include, inter alia: quantification and documentation of pollination deficits and finding measures to address these; socio-economic valuation of pollinator-friendly practices; assessment of lethal and sub-lethal effects of farming methods, such as pesticide use, on crop pollinators; identification of habitat management practices that enhance synergies between pollinator lifecycles and crop growing patterns; and policy analysis in relation to drivers and trends in pollination services and management.
Highlights
INTRODUCTIONNumerous recent reviews of agricultural science and technology (FAO 2011, Royal Society 2009) call for increasing support for systems of food production that are based on “ecological intensification” - understood as a means of increasing agricultural outputs (food, fiber, agro-fuels and environmental services), while reducing the use and the need for external inputs (agrochemicals, fuel, and plastic), and capitalizing on ecological processes that support and regulate primary productivity in agro- ecosystems (Titonnell and Giller 2013)
Numerous recent reviews of agricultural science and technology (FAO 2011, Royal Society 2009) call for increasing support for systems of food production that are based on “ecological intensification” - understood as a means of increasing agricultural outputs, while reducing the use and the need for external inputs, and capitalizing on ecological processes that support and regulate primary productivity in agro- ecosystems (Titonnell and Giller 2013)
Animal pollination is being increasingly recognised as an essential ecosystem service, whose sufficient provisioning leads to overall increased and stabilized crop production (Garibaldi et al 2011), and sustained income levels and food security
Summary
Numerous recent reviews of agricultural science and technology (FAO 2011, Royal Society 2009) call for increasing support for systems of food production that are based on “ecological intensification” - understood as a means of increasing agricultural outputs (food, fiber, agro-fuels and environmental services), while reducing the use and the need for external inputs (agrochemicals, fuel, and plastic), and capitalizing on ecological processes that support and regulate primary productivity in agro- ecosystems (Titonnell and Giller 2013). In many regions of the world with high input, high output agricultural systems, the approach may be to restore such ecological processes while reducing external inputs. In much of Africa, the strategy may be quite different, to work within traditionally ecologically-intensive agroecosystems to meet changing demands for food security and poverty alleviation. Both approaches are needed depending on the region and commodities farmed therein. The purpose of this article is to highlight current priority issues for research and development in managing pollination services that will be applicable in Africa and gather data needed to assess the situation, compare it to global trends and set new priorities.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
