Christopher Mulwanda, Ngawo Namukonde, Vincent R. Nyirenda
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Insect pollination relies on flowering plant quality, but pollutants disrupt this balance. We assessed heavy metal effects on insect pollinator diversity along a pollution gradient in Mufulira's district of the Copperbelt province, Zambia. Soil samples showed varying copper, lead, zinc and iron concentrations with distance from sources of mining pollution. Zone B, over 10 km from active mines into agricultural lands, had higher insect pollinator abundance and richness than Zone A, near active mines with heavy metals. Habitat loss from other anthropogenic activities (other than mining) reduced diversity in Zone B. Seasonal insect pollinator diversity variations were greatest in the cool-dry season. Conservation efforts should address mining pollution to protect insect pollinators.
期刊介绍：
African Journal of Ecology (formerly East African Wildlife Journal) publishes original scientific research into the ecology and conservation of the animals and plants of Africa. It has a wide circulation both within and outside Africa and is the foremost research journal on the ecology of the continent. In addition to original articles, the Journal publishes comprehensive reviews on topical subjects and brief communications of preliminary results.
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