Status of Pollinators in North America - Softcover

National Research Council; Division On Earth And Life Studies; Board On Agriculture And Natural Resources; Board On Life Sciences; Committee On The Status Of Pollinators In North America

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0309102898 ISBN 13: 9780309102896

Publisher: National Academies Press, 2007

Synopsis

Pollinators--insects, birds, bats, and other animals that carry pollen from the male to the female parts of flowers for plant reproduction--are an essential part of natural and agricultural ecosystems throughout North America. For example, most fruit, vegetable, and seed crops and some crops that provide fiber, drugs, and fuel depend on animals for pollination.

This report provides evidence for the decline of some pollinator species in North America, including America's most important managed pollinator, the honey bee, as well as some butterflies, bats, and hummingbirds. For most managed and wild pollinator species, however, population trends have not been assessed because populations have not been monitored over time. In addition, for wild species with demonstrated declines, it is often difficult to determine the causes or consequences of their decline. This report outlines priorities for research and monitoring that are needed to improve information on the status of pollinators and establishes a framework for conservation and restoration of pollinator species and communities.

Table of Contents

• Front Matter
• Summary
• 1 Role and Importance of Pollinators
• 2 Status of Pollinators
• 3 Causes of Pollinator Declines and Potential Threats
• 4 Effects of Variations in Pollinator Populations on Pollination Services
• 5 Monitoring Pollinator Populations and Services
• 6 Strategies for Maintaining Pollinators and Pollination Services
• 7 Findings and Recommendations
• Glossary
• References
• A Committee Biographies
• B Presentations to the Committee
• C Recently Extinct Insects from Around the World
• D Endangered Insects in the Continental United States
• E Bee Species in Decline in North America
• F Meetings and Conferences on Pollinator Issues 1979-2006
• G Methods for Analyzing Status of Pollinators
• H Xerces Society Red List of Pollinating Insects of North America
• I Annual Bee Variability of Bee Abundances
• Color Plates

About this title

About the Author

Committee on the Status of Pollinators in North America, National Research Council

Edition details

• Publisher: National Academies Press
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0309102898
• ISBN 13: 9780309102896
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 326