AUSTRALIA—GERMANY WORKSHOP ON BIODIVERSITY
The Shine Dome, 13-17 March 2006
Crop pollination: an ecosystem service provided by insects
by Dr Saul Cunningham, Research Scientist, CSIRO Entomology
It has long been understood that many crops benefit from insect pollination, but the assumption has been that this service is provided largely by managed honey bees. Recent research worldwide has shown that for many crops a significant pollination service is provided by a diversity of wild insects. In Australia, the pollination service provided by honey bees is threatened by the likely invasion of a bee parasite. Our research shows that non-agricultural vegetation can be managed to provide a free pollination alternative.
