Pollination services in the UK: How important are honeybees?

• Published in: Agriculture, ecosystems & environment ecosystems & environment, 2011-08, Vol.142 (3), p.137-143
• Main Authors: Breeze, T.D., Bailey, A.P., Balcombe, K.G., Potts, S.G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: agricultural land; Agriculture; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; API; Apis mellifera; Biological and medical sciences; Crop pollination; crop yield; cropping systems; Crops; Ecosystem services; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agroecology; General agroecology. Agricultural and farming systems. Agricultural development. Rural area planning. Landscaping; General agronomy. Plant production; Generalities. Agricultural and farming systems. Agricultural development; honey bees; Honeybees; human population; Insects; land use; Optimization; pollinating insects; pollination; Pollination services; Populations; Supplying
• ISSN: 0167-8809; 1873-2305
• DOI: 10.1016/j.agee.2011.03.020

► Insect pollinated crops cover 20.4% of UK cropland. ► These crops represent 19.3% of total UK farmgate crop value. ► 2007 honeybee populations only supply 34.1% of UK pollination service demands. ► The pollination service capacity of honeybees has fallen from 70.3% since 1984. ► Insect pollinated crop yields have grown significantly faster than other crops. Pollination services are known to provide substantial benefits to human populations and agriculture in particular. Although many species are known to provide pollination services, honeybees ( Apis mellifera) are often assumed to provide the majority of these services to agriculture. Using data from a range of secondary sources, this study assesses the importance of insect pollinated crops at regional and national scales and investigates the capacity of honeybees to provide optimal pollination services to UK agriculture. The findings indicate that insect pollinated crops have become increasingly important in UK crop agriculture and, as of 2007, accounted for 20% of UK cropland and 19% of total farmgate crop value. Analysis of honeybee hive numbers indicates that current UK populations are only capable of supplying 34% of pollination service demands even under favourable assumptions, falling from 70% in 1984. In spite of this decline, insect pollinated crop yields have risen by an average of 54% since 1984, casting doubt on long held beliefs that honeybees provide the majority of pollination services. Future land use and crop production patterns may further increase the role of pollination services to UK agriculture, highlighting the importance of measures aimed at maintaining both wild and managed species.