Animal pollination increases stability of crop yield across spatial scales. (17th July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bishop, Jacob; Garratt, Michael P. D.; Nakagawa, Shinichi
• Is Part Of: Ecology letters. Volume 25:Number 9(2022)
• Page Start: 2034
• Page End: 2047
• Publication Date: 2022-07-17
• Subjects: Brassica napus -- coefficient of variation -- insect pollination -- lnCVR -- Malus domestica -- meta‐analysis -- Vicia faba; Ecology -- Periodicals; 577
• DOI: 10.1111/ele.14069
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1461-023X

Abstract

Abstract: The benefits of animal pollination to crop yield are well known. In contrast, the effects of animal pollination on the spatial or temporal stability (the opposite of variability) of crop yield remain poorly understood. We use meta‐analysis to combine variability information from 215 experimental comparisons between animal‐pollinated and wind‐ or self‐pollinated control plants in apple, oilseed rape and faba bean. Animal pollination increased yield stability (by an average of 32% per unit of yield) at between‐flower, ‐plant, ‐plot and ‐field scales. Evidence suggests this occurs because yield benefits of animal pollination become progressively constrained closer to the maximum potential yield in a given context, causing clustering. The increase in yield stability with animal pollination is greatest when yield benefits of animal pollination are greatest, indicating that managing crop pollination to increase yield also increases yield stability. These additional pollination benefits have not yet been included in economic assessments but provide further justification for policies to protect pollinators. Abstract : We use meta‐analysis to quantify the effect of animal pollination on crop yield stability, combining 215 experimental comparisons between animal pollinated and control plants in apple, oilseed rape and faba bean. Animal pollination increases yield stability (by an average 32%) at between‐flower, ‐plant, ‐plot and ‐field scales. We suggest this occurs because yield benefits of animal pollination become constrained, resulting in clustering at the maximum potential yield in a given context.