The vital role of pollination services in seed production: A global review

Abstract

Animal pollinators play a fundamental role in the reproductive processes of both wild and cultivated plants, impacting global agriculture. In the face of global declines in biodiversity, especially in insect biodiversity, this study reviews the critical role of pollination services in the seed production of food crops. While previous reviews assess the influence of pollinators on primary food production, this review extends it to seed production, an essential precursor in the agricultural supply chain. Here we add to the existing body of literature by reviewing the dependence on pollination services in seed production of major crops that are propagated via seeds. Out of the 74 crops analyzed, 17 depend essentially on pollinators, 22 are highly dependent, 8 moderately dependent, whereas 1 shows little dependence and 6 no dependence at all. For 20 crops no conclusive data has been found. Globally significant crops, such as carrots and various clover species, are among the identified pollinator-dependent species. Moreover, some of the crops do not rely on pollinators for primary production, and are thus potentially overlooked in assessments that focus solely on fruit yields. Lastly, we highlight the importance of analyzing the effect that pollinators have on different yield components, the economic value of pollinators in seed production, and the need for further research on the contribution of pollinators to seed production.