Air pollution prevents pollinators finding flowers
Air pollution prevents pollinators finding flowers CentAUR
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Air Pollution Reduces Pollination, Affecting Bees’ Ability to Find Flowers
A study conducted by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) and several universities has revealed that air pollution has a significant impact on pollination. The research team, consisting of scientists from the Universities of Reading, Surrey, Birmingham, and Southern Queensland, found that air pollution, specifically ground-level ozone, degrades the scent of flowers, making it difficult for bees to locate them.
Effects of Ozone on Floral Odour Plumes
The study discovered that ozone alters the size and scent of floral odour plumes. Honeybees’ ability to recognize odours was reduced by up to 90% when exposed to ozone, even from just a few meters away. Ground-level ozone is formed when nitrogen oxide emissions from vehicles and industrial processes react with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by vegetation in the presence of sunlight. This type of pollution is known to exacerbate respiratory conditions.
Impact on Wildflower Abundance and Crop Yields
Dr. Ben Langford, an atmospheric scientist at UKCEH and the lead researcher of the study, suggests that ozone is likely to have a negative impact on wildflower abundance and crop yields. Previous international studies have already established that ozone damages plant growth and negatively affects food production. As 75% of food crops and nearly 90% of wild flowering plants rely on animal pollination, particularly by insects, understanding the factors that disrupt pollination is crucial for preserving essential services such as food production, textiles, biofuels, and medicines.
Mechanistic Evidence of Ozone’s Impact on Pollinator Visitation
Dr. James Ryalls, a co-author of the research paper from the University of Reading, states that the study provides clear mechanistic evidence of how ozone pollution, which is typically more concentrated in rural areas, can reduce pollinator visitation to flowers. The researchers used a wind tunnel to observe how the size and shape of odour plumes changed in the presence of ozone. They discovered that ozone not only decreased the size of the odour plume but also altered its scent as certain compounds reacted faster than others.
Implications for Pollinating Insects
Honeybees, which were trained to recognize a specific odour blend, were exposed to the new, ozone-modified odours. The research showed that as honeybees moved towards the center of the plumes, their ability to recognize the odour decreased. At 6 meters away, 52% of honeybees recognized the odour, but this percentage decreased to 38% at 12 meters. At the edge of the plumes, where degradation occurred more rapidly, only 32% of honeybees recognized a flower from 6 meters away, and just a tenth of the insects recognized it from 12 meters away. The researchers believe that these findings indicate that ozone could also affect other odour-controlled behaviors of insects, such as their ability to attract and find mates.
Conclusion
The study highlights the detrimental effects of air pollution, specifically ground-level ozone, on pollination and the ability of bees and other pollinators to locate flowers. These findings have significant implications for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) and Goal 15 (Life on Land), as they emphasize the importance of preserving pollination services for food production and biodiversity conservation. The research was funded by the Natural Environment Research Council, a part of UK Research and Innovation.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.9 By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. | – Percentage change in air pollution levels – Number of deaths and illnesses attributed to air pollution |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | 15.1 By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements. | – Percentage change in wildflower abundance – Crop yield reduction due to ozone pollution |
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | 2.4 By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding, and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality. | – Percentage change in food crop production – Impact of ozone on plant growth |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | 12.4 By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment. | – Impact of ozone on the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – Reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions from vehicles and industrial processes |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
This SDG is connected to the issue of air pollution and its impact on human health. The article mentions that ground-level ozone, a form of air pollution, aggravates respiratory conditions.
SDG 15: Life on Land
This SDG is connected to the issue of air pollution and its impact on wildflower abundance and crop yields. The article states that ozone is likely to have a negative impact on these aspects of terrestrial ecosystems.
SDG 2: Zero Hunger
This SDG is connected to the issue of air pollution and its impact on food production. The article highlights that ozone damages plant growth, which can have a negative impact on food crop production.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
This SDG is connected to the issue of air pollution and its impact on the release of chemicals and wastes. The article mentions that nitrogen oxide emissions from vehicles and industrial processes react with volatile organic compounds emitted from vegetation, contributing to the formation of ground-level ozone.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
The article highlights the negative impact of air pollution, specifically ground-level ozone, on human health and respiratory conditions. Achieving this target would involve reducing air pollution levels and minimizing its adverse effects on human health.
Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
The article emphasizes the need to understand the adverse effects of ozone on wildflower abundance and crop yields. Achieving this target would involve implementing measures to mitigate ozone pollution and preserve the ecosystem services provided by terrestrial ecosystems.
Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices.
The article highlights the negative impact of ozone on plant growth and food crop production. Achieving this target would involve implementing agricultural practices that are resilient to ozone pollution and promote sustainable food production.
Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle.
The article mentions the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from vegetation reacting with nitrogen oxide emissions to form ground-level ozone. Achieving this target would involve managing these chemicals and wastes in a way that minimizes their release and adverse impacts on human health and the environment.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
The article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
– Percentage change in air pollution levels: This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 3.9 by tracking the reduction in air pollution, specifically ground-level ozone.
– Number of deaths and illnesses attributed to air pollution: This indicator can also be used to measure progress towards Target 3.9 by monitoring the impact of air pollution on human health.
– Percentage change in wildflower abundance: This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 15.1 by assessing the conservation and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems.
– Crop yield reduction due to ozone pollution: This indicator can also be used to measure progress towards Target 15.1 by evaluating the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems and their services.
– Percentage change in food crop production: This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 2.4 by assessing the sustainability and productivity of food production systems.
– Impact of ozone on plant growth: This indicator can also be used to measure progress towards Target 2.4 by evaluating the resilience of agricultural practices to ozone pollution.
– Impact of ozone on the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs): This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 12.4 by assessing the environmentally sound management of chemicals and their release to the environment.
– Reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions from vehicles and industrial processes: This indicator can also be used to measure progress towards Target 12.4 by evaluating the reduction of pollutants that contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone.
By tracking these indicators, progress towards the identified targets can be measured and appropriate actions can be taken to address the issues highlighted in the article.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being |
