Sammanfattning

The global decline in insect diversity threatens pollination services, potentially impacting crop production and food security. Here, we argue that this looming pol-lination crisis is generally approached from an ecological standpoint, and that con-sideration of evolutionary principles offers a novel perspective. First, we outline that wild plant species have overcome 'pollination crises' throughout evolutionary history, and show how associated principles can be applied to crop pollination. We then highlight technological advances that can be used to adapt crop flowers for optimal pollination by local wild pollinators, especially by increasing generalization in pollination systems. Thus, synergies among fundamental evolutionary research, genetic engineering, and agro-ecological science provide a promising template for addressing a potential pollination crisis, complementing much-needed strategies focused on pollinator conservation.

Publicerad i

Trends in ecology & evolution
2023, Volym: 38, nummer: 5, sidor: 435-445
Utgivare: CELL PRESS

SLU författare

• Egan, Paul

  • Institutionen för växtskyddsbiologi, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
    

UKÄ forskningsämne

Genetik och förädling
Jordbruksvetenskap


Publikationens identifierare

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2022.12.010

Permanent länk till denna sida (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/122768