Olfaction in the Anthropocene: NO 3 negatively affects floral scent and nocturnal pollination

There is growing concern about sensory pollutants affecting ecological communities. Anthropogenically enhanced oxidants [ozone (O ) and nitrate radicals (NO )] rapidly degrade floral scents, potentially reducing pollinator attraction to flowers. However, the physiological and behavioral impacts on p...

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Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 2024-02, Vol.383 (6683), p.607-611
Main Authors: Chan, J K, Parasurama, S, Atlas, R, Xu, R, Jongebloed, U A, Alexander, B, Langenhan, J M, Thornton, J A, Riffell, J A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Environmental Pollutants
Flowers - physiology
Moths - physiology
Odorants
Pheromones
Pollination - physiology
Smell
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Summary:There is growing concern about sensory pollutants affecting ecological communities. Anthropogenically enhanced oxidants [ozone (O ) and nitrate radicals (NO )] rapidly degrade floral scents, potentially reducing pollinator attraction to flowers. However, the physiological and behavioral impacts on pollinators and plant fitness are unknown. Using a nocturnal flower-moth system, we found that atmospherically relevant concentrations of NO eliminate flower visitation by moths, and the reaction of NO with a subset of monoterpenes is what reduces the scent's attractiveness. Global atmospheric models of floral scent oxidation reveal that pollinators in certain urban areas may have a reduced ability to perceive and navigate to flowers. These results illustrate the impact of anthropogenic pollutants on an animal's olfactory ability and indicate that such pollutants may be critical regulators of global pollination.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.adi0858