Animal pollination is one of the essential services provided by ecosystems to humans. In the face of a potential worldwide pollination crisis, it is crucial to assess which countries may be more vulnerable to prioritize pollinator conservation efforts. Human population density and poverty levels, and the degree of pollinator dependence for food security are key aspects to identify vulnerable countries. We reviewed the literature and evaluated these aspects to determine the level of human food provisioning dependence on pollinators in several Latin American countries. Strategies for Conservation, Policy and Sustainable use of pollinators are analyzed for Latin America.
We evaluated the extent to which food production depends on animal pollinators in several Latin American countries by comparing cultivated area, produced volume and yield value of major food crops that are pollinator dependent with those that are pollinator non-dependent. In addition, we valued the ecosystem service of pollination based on the degree of pollinator dependence of each crop. Finally, we examined the Strategies for Conservation, Policy and Sustainable use of pollinators in Latin America.
Results/Conclusions
In México, nearly 85% of 170 of fruit and/or seed consumed plant species depend on pollinators. In Brazil, a total of 68% of 53 major food crops depend on animals for pollination. In Argentina, from a total of 68 crops, animal pollination increased production directly in 37 and indirectly in 13 cultivated species. In Central America, pollinator dependent crops are also very efficient in terms of productivity per unit area but current market economies have driven these countries to increase pollinator independent crops that are less efficient and less sustainable. For example, an increase in non-pollinator dependent cultivated areas such as sugar cane, rice, bananas and pineapple and a decrease in coffee in Central America.
In many Latin American countries, pollinator-dependent crops generated larger income but cover a lower cultivated area and produce less volume compared to non-pollinator-dependent crops. Native wild pollinators also play a key role in fruit or seed production of domesticated plant species and in the reproduction of many useful wild species. Pollination services are particularly important in rural areas of Latin America, as the livelihood of a large proportion of the population exclusively and directly depends on ecosystem services for subsistence. Few countries in Latin America have developed Strategies for Conservation and Sustainable use of pollinators, and most of them have not implemented new policies regarding pollinators and food security.