Threats to Pollinator Abundance and Diversity, the first release in the Pollinators in Peril series, covers the latest research on insect pollinators, the threats to their survival, declining populations, and what conservation actions should be taken. The book demonstrates that most threats to pollinators are either directly or indirectly human-caused, such as chemicals, land alteration, and habitat loss due to agricultural practices, as well as climate change and its many ripple effects. Covering everything from honeybee pathogens to butterfly range changes, this book covers concepts that are both crucial for researchers in entomology, upper-level students, governmental and non-governmental organizations, and adjacent fields.
Pollinating insects are among the most crucial species groups on earth. Without them, much of the earth’s vegetation would not survive and the elaborate ecosystems they sustain would collapse. Today, pollinator declines have reached critical levels in most regions of the world.
Pollinating insects are among the most crucial species groups on earth. Without them, much of the earth’s vegetation would not survive and the elaborate ecosystems they sustain would collapse. Today, pollinator declines have reached critical levels in most regions of the world.
Table of Contents
1. Pollination: An essential ecosystem service2. The co-evolution of flowering plants and pollinators
3. Native bee species: Solitary, inconspicuous, and poorly studied
4. The importance of hoverflies (Syrphidae) in wild and domesticated plant pollination
5. Diurnal and seasonal cycles of insect pollinator groups
6. The plant-pollinator disconnects of global warming
7. Threats to honeybee colonies I: Viral diseases, fungal infections, Vairimorpha
8. Threats to honeybee colonies II: Parasites: Acarapis woodi, Varroa destructor
9. Threats to honeybee colonies III: Long-distance hive transportation, Colony Collapse Disorder
10. Causes of bumble bee declines: Pesticides
11. Causes of bumblebee declines: Mismatching with floral resources
12. Causes of butterfly declines: Life cycle emergence changes
13. Causes of butterfly declines: Pesticides
14. Causes of butterfly declines: Range changes with global warming
15. Causes of bumble bee declines: Range changes with global warming
16. Pathogen spread between bee species through contaminated flowers
17. Heat-stress physiology of cold-adapted bumble bees
18. Effect of pesticide on bumble bee reproduction
19. Bumble bee responses to climate change
20. Asian bumble bee response to climate change
21. Phyllogenetic perspective on bumblebee declines
22. Effects of habitat fragmentation on bee populations
23. Insect pollinators facing imminent extinction: Causes and needed rescue efforts
24. Co-exposure or coinfection of insect pollinator diseases and parasites
25. Pollinator population declines and the erosion of genetic diversity
