POLLINATORS POLLINATION AND FOOD PRODUCTION

THE ASSESSMENT REPORT ON POLLINATORS, POLLINATION AND FOOD PRODUCTION
be it difficult to identify which land owners could receive a
payment for supporting them.
In France, an agri-environment scheme under the European
Common Agricultural Policy (i.e., dispositif apiculture
API: http://www.eure.gouv.fr/layout/set/print/Politiquespubliques/Agriculture/Mesures-Agro-Environnementales)
pays beekeepers to place hives in areas of high biodiversity.
Its stated aim is to enhance the pollination provided by
honey bees, although the effect of this on pollination has not
been measured.
6.4.3.4 Social and behavioural responses
Responses based on influencing social attitudes have
occurred in many places around the world. A number of
initiatives related to pollinator conservation have garnered
significant public support, including citizen science data
collection and on-ground actions (see section 6.4.6.3.4).
However, there have not been systematic studies of their
effectiveness, so that while we have identified some of
the strategies for how nature conservation strategies
for pollination could benefit from social and behavioural
responses (Table 6.4.3), there is little to report regarding
assessment of the effectiveness of these strategies.
Social action also requires an appreciation of the threats to
pollinators, which might be lacking in many communities.
For example, people in the Cook Islands proved to be open
to the idea that hunting restrictions might be necessary
to protect fruit bats, but only after they were made aware
that hunting was a significant threat to these pollinators
(Cousins and Compton, 2005). In Europe surveys revealed a
positive attitude towards the planting of wildflower strips for
pollinator conservation among both farmers and the general
public (Jacot et al., 2007), indicating that some communities
are inclined to support active ecological restoration options.
TABLE 6.4.3
Summary of evidence for responses relating to nature conservation
395
Response Main drivers Type of response Status Scientific evidence
Manage or restore native habitat
patches to support pollinators
Increase connectivity of habitat
patches
Manage invasive species (plants,
pests, predators or pollinators)
that diminish pollinators or
pollinator habitat
Targeted conservation of
specific pollinator species or
groups of species (includes ex
situ conservation of threatened
species, includes species of
special cultural value)
Targeted conservation of
pollinators associated with
specific plant species threatened
by pollination deficit
Establish protected areas or
improve the quality of existing
ones (including protected areas
of cultural value)
Payment for ecosystem services
Maintain sacred and other
culturally protected areas that
support pollinators
Increase taxonomic expertise
on pollinator groups (formal
education/training) and
technology to support discovery
and identification
Land use and its changes
(2.1)
Changes in land cover
and spatial configuration
(2.1.2)
Technical
6.4.3.1.1.
Technical
6.4.3.1.2.
Invasive species Technical
6.4.3.1.4.
Multiple, interacting
threats
Multiple, interacting
threats
Land use and its changes
(2.1)
Land use and its changes
(2.1)
Land use and its changes
(2.1)
All
Technical
6.4.3.1.5.
Technical
6.4.3.1.5.
Established
Tested
Tested
Tested
Tested
Increases diversity and abundance of
pollinating insects
WELL ESTABLISHED
Some evidence that habitat
connections help pollinator movement
and gene flow
ESTABLISHED BUT INCOMPLETE
Case study evidence of some benefits
to pollinator species, but eradication is
difficult to achieve
ESTABLISHED BUT INCOMPLETE
Examples exist for a limited range of
taxa
ESTABLISHED BUT INCOMPLETE
One European example known, for
dittany
(Dictamnus albus)
INCONCLUSIVE
Legal 6.4.3.2.2 Established Protected areas host species diversity,
but it is difficult to determine the impact
of legislation in achieving protection
WELL ESTABLISHED
Economic 6.4.3.3. Tested Ecosystems services payments have
been established for other services
(watershed protection, carbon
sequestration) but no examples for
pollination
ESTABLISHED BUT INCOMPLETE
Social/behavioural
6.4.3.2.2
Knowledge
6.4.3.5.
Established
Tested
Protected areas host species diversity,
but few case studies
ESTABLISHED BUT INCOMPLETE
(see also 5.4.2.4)
Significant training has been achieved
in a number of countries
WELL ESTABLISHED
6. RESPONSES TO RISKS AND OPPORTUNITIES ASSOCIATED
WITH POLLINATORS AND POLLINATION