Conclusions and implications for conservation of crop
pollinators and pollination.
Increased air pollution can affect plant and animal physiology in
multiple ways (Van Dingenen et al. 2009; Mills et al.2013; Emberson 2020). In Europe, the biggest problem today is the
increased concentrations of tropospheric ozone due to its harmful
effects on health and ecosystems (Ilić & Maksimović 2021). Air
pollution does not constitute a single problem, but presents an array of
threats and opportunities to plants and animals (Dudley & Stolton
2021). Plants are more sensitive to ozone than animals, but air
pollution, by modifying the physiology and biochemistry of plants, has a
decisive influence on the interactions of plants and insects (Ilić &
Maksimović 2021). Thereby, changes in plant communities can propagate
throughout the food webs to affect other organisms (Lovett et al.2009; Dudley & Stolton 2021; Ilić & Maksimović 2021).
While we were not able to detect effects of oxide nitrates, our results
highlight potential negative effects of ozone on crop pollinators and
changes in the contribution of pollinators to crop production, while
also affecting the sensitivity of pollinators to pesticide exposure.
Indeed, different air pollutants (such as ozone and NOx) can act at
different spatio-temporal scales and interact with other natural and
anthropogenic factors that also alter ecosystem functioning (Dudley &
Stolton 2021).
Even if more detailed studies are required and further evidence from
other regions and crops is needed, our findings suggest management plans
involving changes in pesticide use, should take into account the ongoing
increase in air pollution, and specifically of the predicted increased
concentration of tropospheric ozone in the near future (Van Dingenenet al. 2009; Avnery et al. 2011b; Archibald et al.2020). Our results also highlight that negative impacts of ozone
pollution on pollinators and pollination exist, and should be considered
when developing transport, manufacturing and renewable energy policies
in favor of the protection of air quality and the conservation of
biodiversity and associated ecosystem services.