Work

Extinctions of aculeate pollinators in Britain and the role of large-scale agricultural changes

Year: 2014

Type: article

Abstract: Pollinators are fundamental to maintaining both biodiversity and agricultural productivity, but habitat destruction, loss of flower resources, and increased use of pesticides are causing declines in their abundance and diversity. Using historical records, we assessed the rate of extinction of bee and flower-visiting wasp species in Britain from the mid-19th century to the present. The most rapid phase of extinction appears to be related to changes in agricultural policy and practice beginning in the 1920s, before the agricultural intensification prompted by the Second World War, often cited as the most important driver of biodiversity loss in Britain. Slowing of the extinction rate from the 1960s onward may be due to prior loss of the most sensitive species and/or effective conservation programs.

Source: Science

DOI: 10.1126/science.1257259

Authors: Jeff Ollerton, Hilary Erenler, Mike Edwards, Robin Crockett

Institutions: University of Northampton, Miyagi Prefecture Fisheries Technology Institute

Language: English

Topic: Plant and animal studies

Subfield: Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Life on land

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W2081986770