[Virtual Presenter] The Assessment Report on Pollinators, Pollination and Food Production welcomes you..
[Audio] In the context of the IPBES report on pollinators, pollination, and food production, for the first time, science and indigenous knowledge have been brought together to assess an important biodiversity-dependent service – pollination – in support of food security and its contribution to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. UNESCO is pleased to have contributed directly to this effort. Irina Bokova The growing threat to pollinators, which play an important role in food security, provides another compelling example of how connected people are to our environment, and how deeply entwined our fate is with that of the natural world. As we work towards food security, it is important to approach the challenge with a consideration of the environmental impacts that drive the issue. Sustainable development, including improving food security, must take into account the interdependence of human well-being and the health of the planet..
[Audio] Pollination services are an agricultural input that ensure the production of crops. All farmers, especially family farmers and smallholders around the world, benefit from these services. Improving pollinator density and diversity has a direct positive impact on crop yields, consequently promoting food and nutrition security. Hence, enhancing pollinator services is important for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as for helping family farmers' adaptation to climate change..
[Audio] The table of contents outlines the structure of the report, providing an overview of the chapters and sections that follow..
[Audio] The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services aims to provide governments, private sector, and civil society with scientifically credible and independent up-to-date assessments of available knowledge to make informed decisions at the local, national and international level. This assessment on pollinators, pollination and food production has been carried out by experts from all regions of the world, who have analyzed a large body of knowledge, including about 3000 scientific publications. It represents the state of our knowledge on this issue. Its chapters and their executive summaries were accepted, and its summary for policymakers was approved, by the Plenary of IPBES at its fourth session (22-28 February 2016, Kuala Lumpur). The thematic assessment of pollinators, pollination and food production carried out under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services aims to assess animal pollination as a regulating ecosystem service underpinning food production in the context of its contribution to nature's gifts to people and supporting a good quality of life. To achieve this, it focuses on the role of native and managed pollinators, the status and trends of pollinators and pollinator-plant networks and pollination, drivers of change, impacts on human well-being, food production in response to pollination declines and deficits and the effectiveness of responses..
[Audio] The assessment report on pollinators, pollination and food production was produced through the collaborative efforts of the co-chairs, coordinating lead authors, lead authors, review editors, contributing authors, and reviewers. The report's significance lies in its ability to address scientific uncertainties related to pollinators and pollination, thereby informing decision-making at national and international levels. The contributions of Hien T. Ngo and Professor Zakri Abdul Hamid are also recognized..
[Audio] The assessment report on pollinators, pollination and food production brings together science and indigenous knowledge to evaluate the crucial role of pollination in supporting food security and contributing to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Key partners emphasize the significance of considering the environmental impacts driving the issue of food security..
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[Audio] The assessment report on pollinators, pollination, and food production acknowledges the contributions of various individuals, including the former and current chairs of IPBES, the IPBES Executive Secretary, the members of the IPBES Multidisciplinary Expert Panel and Bureau, the management committee of the assessment, the Indigenous and Local Knowledge (ILK) technical support unit, UNEP-WCMC, Defra, and Hien T. Ngo. The report expresses gratitude for their guidance, support, and exceptional contributions, emphasizing that the exceptional quality of the report would not have been possible without their efforts..
[Audio] The Assessment Report on Pollinators, Pollination and Food Production aims to bring together science and indigenous knowledge to assess an important biodiversity-dependent service - pollination - in support of food security and its contribution to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The report highlights the importance of pollinators in food production and their decline due to various factors. It also emphasizes the need to consider the environmental impacts that drive the issue of pollinator decline. The report's findings will inform policy-making and decision-making processes related to sustainable development..
[Audio] Anthropogenic assets refer to the built-up infrastructure, health facilities, knowledge, education, technology, and financial assets that are created by human societies. Recognizing the interdependence between nature and society is crucial, and understanding the trade-offs between the beneficial and detrimental effects of organisms and ecosystems is essential..
[Audio] Institutions and governance systems play a crucial role in shaping the relationship between nature and human society. These formal and informal structures determine how decisions are made and power is exercised, ultimately influencing the distribution of nature's components and benefits to people. Through their impact on direct anthropogenic drivers, institutions and governance systems have a direct influence on nature. This is why it is important to understand and assess the various collections of institutions and how they come together to form governance systems. They also have an indirect impact on the balance between nature and human assets in the co-production of nature's benefits. This, in turn, affects the achievement of a good quality of life and the vision of what this entails. In summary, institutions and governance systems are the root causes of the direct anthropogenic drivers that directly affect nature, and their role cannot be overlooked in our assessment of pollinators, pollination, and food production..
[Audio] Pollinators play a crucial role in food production, and their decline can have severe consequences for both local and global food supplies. A decrease in wild plant diversity and populations can have far-reaching impacts on animal communities that rely on these plants for sustenance. Moreover, pollinators provide essential products like honey, pollen, and bee venom, which are vital for our nutrition, health, and cultural practices. Unfortunately, vulnerable communities, such as indigenous groups and local subsistence farmers, will be disproportionately affected by a decline in pollinator populations. It is imperative that we recognize the significance of pollinators and take measures to safeguard their populations for the benefit of our food and the health of our planet..
[Audio] Pollinators play a crucial role in supporting food production, not only for humans but also for biodiversity maintenance. The chapter examines the diverse range of pollinators and pollination systems and their significant contributions to our well-being. Drivers of change for pollinators, pollinator-plant networks, and pollination are examined, with a focus on their impact on food production. The chapter also evaluates various methodologies, including the Pollinator Strategy, National Action Plans, and other initiatives..
[Audio] The four-box model for the qualitative communication of confidence shows that confidence increases towards the top-right corner as suggested by the increasing strength of shading. The certainty scale indicates the level of agreement, ranging from low to high. The boxes represent the degree of confidence in each main finding, based on the quantity and quality of evidence and the level of agreement regarding that evidence. Further details of the approach can be found in the note by the secretariat on the guide to the production and integration of assessments of the Platform..
[Audio] Johnson, R. (2014). The U.S. Trade Situation for Fruit and Vegetable Products. Congressional Research Service Report. Geneva, pp. 33-51. Klein, A.-M., Vaissiere, B. E., Cane, J., Díaz, S., Demissew, S., Joly, C., Lonsdale, M., and A. Larigauderie (2007). Importance of pollinators in benefits to people. PloS ONE: 13(1): e1002040 doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1002040.
[Audio] The Assessment Report on Pollinators, Pollination and Food Production analyzes the impact of pollinators on food production and their crucial role in the ecosystem. The report highlights the essentiality of pollinators for human survival and raises awareness about the threats they face, emphasizing the urgent need for their protection..
[Audio] Pollinators play a crucial role in maintaining food security, and their conservation is essential for sustaining ecosystem services. The assessment emphasizes the significance of adopting sustainable practices to ensure the continued provision of these vital ecosystem services..
[Audio] Pollinators play a crucial role in food production, and their decline has significant implications for global food security..
[Audio] Pollinators play a crucial role in food production, and their decline has significant implications for global food security..
[Audio] THE ASSESSMENT REPORT ON POLLINATORS, POLLINATION AND FOOD PRODUCTION systems of life, and it is often viewed as inextricably linked to humans, not as a separate entity. Nature's benefits to people refers to all the benefits that humanity obtains from nature. Ecosystem goods and services are included in this category. Within other knowledge systems, nature's gifts and similar concepts refer to the benefits of nature from which people derive a good quality of life. The notion of nature's benefits to people includes the detrimental as well as the beneficial effects of nature on the achievement of a good quality of life by different people and in different contexts. Trade-offs between the beneficial and detrimental effects of organisms and ecosystems are not unusual and they need to be understood within the context of the bundles of multiple effects provided by a given ecosystem within specific contexts. Anthropogenic assets refers to built-up infrastructure, health facilities, knowledge - including indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) systems and technical or scientific knowledge - as well as formal and non-formal education, technology (both physical objects and procedures), and financial assets, among others. Anthropogenic assets have been highlighted to emphasize that a good life is achieved by a coproduction of benefits between nature and societies. Drivers of change refers to all those external factors (i.e. generated outside the Conceptual framework of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)) that influence the functioning of ecosystems and the provision of ecosystem goods and services. Direct drivers, both natural and anthropogenic, affect nature directly. Natural direct drivers are those that are not the result of human activities and whose occurrence is beyond human control (e.g. natural climate and weather patterns, extreme events such as prolonged drought or cold periods, cyclones and floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions). Anthropogenic direct drivers are those that are the result of human decisions and actions, namely, of institutions and governance systems and other indirect drivers. (e.g. land degradation and restoration, freshwater pollution, ocean acidification, climate change produced by anthropogenic carbon emissions, species introductions). Some of these drivers, such as pollution, can have negative impacts on nature; others, as in the case of habitat restoration, can have positive effects. Individuals and human groups that is dependent on context, including their social, economic, cultural, and environmental conditions, may experience different levels of vulnerability and resilience to changes in ecosystems and the provision of ecosystem goods and services..
[Audio] Pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and other insects, are facing significant threats to their survival. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assessments, 16.5% of vertebrate pollinators are threatened with global extinction, while there are no global Red List assessments specifically for insect pollinators. Regional and national assessments indicate high levels of threat for some bees and butterflies. In Europe, 9% of bee and butterfly species are threatened, and populations are declining for 37% of bees and 31% of butterflies. Wild pollinators have declined in occurrence and diversity at local and regional scales, and long-term international or national monitoring of both pollinators and pollination is urgently required. The number of managed western honey bee hives has increased globally, but seasonal colony loss remains a concern. The volume of production of pollinator-dependent crops has increased, but yield per hectare has decreased, and crop yields vary more year to year compared to pollinator-independent crops..
[Audio] Practices based on indigenous and local knowledge can be a source of solutions to current challenges, in co-production with science, by supporting an abundance and diversity of pollinators. These practices include diverse farming systems; favouring heterogeneity in landscapes and gardens; kinship relationships that protect many specific pollinators; using seasonal indicators (e.g., flowering) to trigger actions (e.g., planting); distinguishing a wide range of pollinators; and tending to nest trees and floral and other pollinator resources. Indigenous knowledge has also led to improvements in hive design, new understanding of parasite impacts and the identification of stingless bees new to science. The abundance, diversity and health of pollinators are threatened by direct drivers such as land-use change, intensive agricultural management and pesticide use, pollution, invasive species, pathogens, and climate change..
[Audio] The assessment report on pollinators, pollination and food production highlights the potential risks for human health and the environment, particularly regarding the management and transportation of pollinators. This is especially concerning for bumble bees and solitary bees, as they are often commercially managed and can be vulnerable to disease transmission. To reduce this risk, it is recommended that there be a greater emphasis on hygiene and controlling pathogens, as well as better regulation of the trade and use of managed pollinators. Climate change is already affecting the ranges, abundances, and activities of some wild pollinator species, and its impact on pollination services to agriculture may not be fully apparent for several decades. Adaptive responses, such as increasing crop and farm diversity, can help mitigate these effects. Furthermore, the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture, particularly those with traits for herbicide tolerance or insect resistance, may lead to a decrease in food resources for pollinators. The long-term consequences of this on their abundance and diversity are still unknown. Policymakers must consider these potential risks and take necessary actions to protect both pollinators and our food production..
[Audio] Institutions and governance systems shape the way individuals and groups relate to nature, influencing all elements. They are the root causes of direct anthropogenic drivers that directly affect nature. These drivers can have either positive or negative impacts on nature. Institutions encompass all formal and informal interactions among stakeholders and social structures that determine how decisions are made and implemented, how power is exercised, and how responsibilities are distributed. Various collections of terms that are central to understanding include "nature's benefits to people", referring to all the benefits that humanity obtains from nature, and "direct drivers", both natural and anthropogenic, affecting nature directly..
[Audio] Pollinators play an important role in food security, providing an agricultural input that ensures the production of crops. All farmers, especially family farmers and smallholders around the world, benefit from these services. Improving pollinator density and diversity has a direct positive impact on crop yields, consequently promoting food and nutrition security. Enhancing pollinator services is important for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as for helping family farmers' adaptation to climate change..
[Audio] Pollination is a vital process that enables the reproduction of plants. The majority of cultivated and wild plants rely on animal vectors, known as pollinators, to transfer pollen. These pollinators come in various forms, including bees, flies, wasps, butterflies, and even certain species of mammals and birds. Bees dominate, with over 90% of the leading global crop types being visited by them. Other pollinators like flies, wasps, and butterflies also play significant roles. Managed pollinators, such as honey bees and bumblebees, coexist with their wild counterparts, with the vast majority of bee species remaining unmanaged. As pollinators visit flowers, they collect nectar and pollen, with some species specializing in specific flower varieties, while others are generalists, visiting a wide range of species. Plants have evolved to attract specific pollinators or accommodate a broader range of visitors. This highlights the importance of pollinators and their role in ensuring the reproduction of plants..
[Audio] Pollination, covering various perspectives such as economic, environmental, sociocultural, indigenous, and local ones. Section B describes the current state and trends of both wild and managed pollinators, as well as crops and wild plants that rely on them. Section C examines the direct and indirect factors influencing plant-pollinator systems and presents management and policy options for mitigating negative impacts. This report draws from diverse knowledge sources, including local knowledge. Appendices provide definitions of key concepts and explanations of the degree of confidence in the findings. References to chapters are included in curly brackets, indicating where supporting information can be found in the report. The report synthesizes a vast body of scientific, technical, socioeconomic, and indigenous and local knowledge..
[Audio] Animal pollination plays a vital role in crop production. A total loss of pollinators would result in a decrease of over 90% in production for 12% of the leading global crops. For 7% of the crops, there would be no effect, and the effects on the remaining 8% are still unknown. Additionally, 28% of the crops would see a decline of 40-90% in production, while the remaining crops would see a decrease of 1-40%. Sixty percent of global production comes from crops that do not depend on animal pollination, 35% of production comes from crops that rely at least partially on animal pollination, and 5% have not been evaluated. Many crops, such as potatoes, carrots, and other vegetables, do not directly rely on pollinators for the parts we consume, but they still benefit from pollination for propagation and breeding. Even forage species, such as legumes, have a positive impact on their growth and production through animal pollination. Diverse knowledge systems, including science and indigenous and local knowledge, provide valuable insights into the economic, environmental, and socio-cultural values of pollinators and pollination..
[Audio] Pollination plays a vital role in the production of micronutrients such as vitamin A, iron, and folate. According to the data presented in this figure, pollination is essential for the production of these essential nutrients, particularly in regions where pollination is prevalent. The benefits of pollination are estimated to be approximately $250 per hectare of agricultural land, with higher values observed in areas where pollination is more intense. If pollinators were to disappear, it would likely result in reduced access to crops and wild plants that provide these essential micronutrients, ultimately affecting human health and nutritional security..
[Audio] Recreational benefits in both rural and urban contexts are well established. Globally, available data show that 81 million hives annually produce 65000 tonnes of beeswax and 1.6 million tonnes of honey, of which an estimated 518000 tonnes are traded. Many rural economies favor beekeeping and honey hunting, as minimal investment is required; diverse products can be sold; diverse forms of ownership support access; family nutrition and medicinal benefits can be derived from it; the timing and location of activities are flexible; and numerous links exist with cultural and social institutions. Beekeeping is also of growing importance as an ecologically-inspired lifestyle choice in many urban contexts. Significant unrealized potential exists for beekeeping as a sustainable livelihood activity in developing world contexts..
[Audio] Pollinators play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and ensuring food security. Indigenous and local knowledge systems have been recognized as essential components of preserving pollinator populations and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Cultural practices such as diversified farming systems, favoring heterogeneity in landscapes and gardens, and conserving nesting trees and pollinator resources are valuable in maintaining biocultural diversity. These practices not only promote pollinator abundance and diversity but also contribute to the preservation of endangered languages and species..
[Audio] The pollination services provided by animals have increased significantly over the past five decades, particularly in regions such as the Americas, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and East Asia. These areas have seen a substantial rise in the cultivation of various fruit and seed crops, leading to greater dependence on animal pollination..
[Audio] The world map shows the annual growth rate in the number of honey bee hives from 1961 to 2012 for countries reporting data to the FAO. The number of managed western honey bee hives is increasing globally, but there is a high seasonal colony loss in some European countries and North America. These losses can often be mitigated by beekeepers splitting colonies. The seasonal loss of western honey bees varies by country, state, and province, and year, but has generally been higher than the previous normal range of 10-15%. Managed pollinators, wild bees, and butterflies have also been declining in abundance, occurrence, and diversity in North-West Europe and North America. Data for other regions and pollinator groups is insufficient to make general conclusions. The yield growth and stability of pollinator-dependent crops are at risk, which is a concern for food production..
[Audio] The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assessment shows that many wild pollinator species are threatened or endangered. The figure illustrates the decline in the diversity of bees and pollinator-dependent wild plants across various regions. The data reveals that some species have experienced severe declines, while trends for others remain unknown..
[Audio] Pollinators have declined in occurrence and diversity, and this decline has been recorded for a small part of the species' distribution. Declines have also been recorded in other insect and vertebrate pollinator groups such as moths, hummingbirds, and bats. In some European countries, declining trends in insect pollinator diversity have slowed down or even stopped, but the reasons for this remain unclear. In agricultural systems, the local abundance and diversity of wild bees have been found to decline strongly with distance from field margins and remnants of natural and semi-natural habitats at scales of a few hundred meters..
[Audio] Pollinators and pollination are affected by multiple drivers of change, including habitat destruction, pesticide use, climate change, and others. These changes have negative impacts on pollinator health, diversity, and abundance, leading to reduced crop yields and altered wild plant diversity. The loss of pollinators also affects cultural practices and traditions. Other risks include the loss of aesthetic value and wellbeing, as well as long-term resilience in food production systems. The relative importance of each driver varies depending on pollinator species and location, and drivers can interact and combine, making it challenging to rank them in terms of risk. Solutions include improving agricultural production and livelihoods while minimizing environmental damage, and strengthening diverse farming systems like forest gardens, home gardens, and agroforestry. These approaches can promote pollinators and pollination, benefiting both food production and the environment..
[Audio] Managing urban and recreational green spaces to increase the local abundance of nectar and pollen-providing flowering plants increases pollinator diversity and abundance, although it is unknown whether this has long-term benefits at the population level. Road verges, power lines, and railway banks in cities also have a large potential for supporting pollinators if managed appropriately to provide flowering and nesting resources..
[Audio] The graph shows whether different concentrations of neonicotinoid insecticides have been reported to have sublethal effects on individual adult honey bees. The green closed circles represent sublethal effects, while the blue open circles indicate no reported effects. The studies included in this graph used one of three neonicotinoid insecticides: imidacloprid, clothianidin, and thiamethoxam. Exposure to these insecticides was either through oral consumption or direct contact with internal organs and tissues. The horizontal axis shows the different types of sublethal effects that have been tested, ranging from molecular to whole-organism scales. It's important to note that colony-level effects, such as colony growth or success, are not included in this figure. The shaded area represents the full range of concentrations (0.9-23 μg/Kg) that honey bees could potentially be exposed to from pollen following seed treatment. The solid lines show the maximum residue values reported from seed treatment of crops in various studies. The blue line represents the average maximum residue in pollen (6.1 μg/Kg), while the red line represents the average maximum residue in nectar (1.9 μg/Kg). The dashed lines show the levels of clothianidin found in oilseed rape pollen and nectar in a recent field study in Sweden. Honey bees consume nectar while foraging, but also consume a small portion of pollen (16% of their diet) while in the hive. This information is based on studies by the European Food Safety Authority and the United States Environmental Protection Agency..
[Audio] The need for research and risk assessment in relation to pollinators and food production is essential to provide viable alternatives to conventional high chemical input systems. Research should focus on improving the effectiveness of integrated pest management and pesticide-free farming systems. Additionally, the indirect effects of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) on pollinators must be considered, as the current risk assessment does not adequately address the sublethal effects of insect-resistant and herbicide-tolerant crops. Furthermore, the use of herbicides in weed control indirectly affects pollinators by reducing the diversity and abundance of flowering plants. Alternative approaches to weed control and pest management are necessary to ensure the sustainability and productivity of our food production..
[Audio] Some pollinators have developed resistance to certain chemical treatments, making them less effective. This is a well-established issue and highlights the need for new treatment options. Other stressors such as exposure to chemicals and insufficient nutrition can worsen the impacts of diseases on pollinators. Limited research exists on diseases affecting other pollinators, such as other insects, birds, and bats. Commercial management, mass breeding, transport, and trade of pollinators outside their original ranges have resulted in new invasions, transmission of pathogens, and regional extinctions of native pollinator species. Better regulation of the movement of all managed pollinator species is necessary to limit the spread of parasites and pathogens and ensure the health of both managed and wild pollinators..
[Audio] The strategic responses to the risks and opportunities associated with pollinators and pollination include immediate and straightforward actions, as well as large-scale and long-term transformative measures. These strategies aim to address the threats to pollinators and their biogeographical distribution, which have consequences for pollination and food production. The table summarizes various approaches that can be taken to mitigate these risks and capitalize on the opportunities. Implementing these responses efficiently and effectively is crucial to ensuring the sustainability of both pollinators and our food production..
[Audio] Supporting diversified farming systems is essential for ensuring pollination services. This can be achieved by promoting no-till agriculture, adapting farming to climate change, and encouraging farmers to work together. References include chapters 2.2.1.1, 2.2.1.2, 2.2.2.1.1, 2.2.2.1.6,.
[Audio] Support diversified farming systems. Promote no-till agriculture. Adapt farming to climate change. Ecologically intensify agriculture through active management of ecosystem services. Encourage farmers to work together to plan landscapes; engage communities (participatory management). Promote Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Monitor and evaluate pollination on farms. Establish payment for pollination services schemes. Develop and build markets for alternative managed pollinators. Support traditional practices for managing pollinators. Increase taxonomic expertise through education, training, and technology. Manage urban spaces for pollinators and collaborative pathways. Support high-level pollination initiatives and strategies..
[Audio] Pollinators, pollination, and food production are crucial components of the assessment report. This report emphasizes the significance of these elements in ensuring a sustainable future..
[Audio] The assessment report on pollinators, pollination and food production has provided valuable insights into the importance of pollinators in maintaining food security. They play an essential role in ensuring the production of crops, particularly for family farmers and smallholders worldwide..
[Audio] The concept of "nature's benefits to people" encompasses all the advantages that humanity derives from nature, including ecosystem goods and services. This notion recognizes that nature's effects on achieving a good quality of life can be both beneficial and detrimental, depending on the context. The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services conceptual framework consists of six interconnected components, which include anthropogenic assets, drivers of change, and direct drivers, among others..
[Audio] This assessment report on pollinators, pollination, and food production highlights the importance of considering both natural and anthropogenic drivers when evaluating the impact of pollinators on food production. Natural direct drivers include natural climate and weather patterns, while anthropogenic direct drivers include land degradation and restoration, freshwater pollution, and climate change caused by human activities. The report emphasizes the need to understand the complex relationships between pollinators, pollination, and food production, and to consider the trade-offs between the beneficial and detrimental effects of these relationships..
[Audio] The degree of confidence in each main finding is based on the quantity and quality of evidence and the level of agreement regarding that evidence. The evidence includes data, theory, models, and expert judgment. Further details of the approach are documented in the note by the secretariat on the guide to the production and integration of assessments of the platform. The summary terms to describe the evidence are: well-established, established but incomplete, inconclusive, and unresolved. The certainty scale shows the level of agreement, ranging from low to high. The robust quantity and quality of the evidence increase confidence towards the top-right corner..