The effect of floral plantings on the emergence of agricultural pollination service

• Grant number: 23/17728-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: August 01, 2024
• End date: December 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Applied Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Marco Aurelio Ribeiro de Mello
• Grantee: Cristina Akemi Kita
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Eradicating hunger worldwide is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals proposed by the United Nations (SDG 2: Zero Hunger and Sustainable Agriculture). Unfortunately, our demand for food will probably increase even further in the near future as the human population continues to grow, potentially leading to intensified agricultural practices. This poses a dilemma: agricultural intensification threatens bees, which are already in decline and play a vital role in pollinating crops all over the world. In this scenario, it will be necessary to invest in initiatives that not only conserve bees but also the pollination services provided by them. One of the most promising solutions to this dilemma is the cultivation of floral plantings associated with crops, which enhances crucial ecosystem services such as pollination, but requires specific conditions to be successful. Therefore, there is an urgent need to better understand those conditions, aiming to promote an ecological intensification of crops. In this project, our first goal is to conduct a systematic and bibliometric mapping to synthesize the accumulated knowledge on the efficiency of floral plantings associated with crops, identify vital gaps, and suggest research directions. Second, through a meta-analysis, we aim to advance our understanding of the mechanisms and factors determining the emergence of crop pollination services provided by bees. Finally, using information from these two approaches, we intend to synthesize the two main hypotheses that guide research in the field, proposing a new integrative view based on criticality and tipping points. This way, we can better direct our efforts and resources to ensure our food security.