Terrestrial Ecosystem Services & Biodiversity: Pollination & Pollinators. Peter G. Kevan, FRSC University Professor Emeritus University of Guelph

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1 Terrestrial Ecosystem Services & Biodiversity: Pollination & Pollinators Peter G. Kevan, FRSC University Professor Emeritus University of Guelph

2 Plant Sex! Go away! I want to be autogamous

3 $ Billions to agriculture 1 in every 3 bites of food we eat! $ value for ecosystem services various huge estimates, but the world would be different without pollinators invaluable!

5 Migratory & Winter- Resident Birds Forest seeds & fruits for energy stores Black bears and forest berries Sows feed on berries gain fat (2kg/day) for hibernation milk for cubs strong & healthy in spring: Too few berries!

6 Shortages since the dawn of agriculture Figs Dates Amos of the Old Testament: a figpiercer (2800 BP) Babylonian date pollination by hand 3700 BP Herodotus 2500 BP

7 For apples in the Maritimes Native bees (many species) effective (J. Macoun 1923, 1924) Insecticides problematic, studies by W.H. Brittain and team ( ) in Annapolis Valley, NS John Macoun Solution W. H. Brittain

Agricultural College University of Manitoba Simon

8 Honeybee husbandry Hive deployment Hive-mounted pollen dispensers Ontario Agricultural College Nova Scotia Agricultural College University of Manitoba Simon Fraser University other institutions AAFC, Provincial Apiarists

9 Changes in pesticide application policies and legislation (Bees Acts across Canada, Ontario first in 1887) Do not spray blooming crops! Bees Act R.R.O. 1990, REGULATION 57 Spraying of fruit trees 18. No person shall spray or dust fruit trees during the period within which the trees are in bloom with a mixture containing any poisonous substance injurious to bees unless almost all the blossoms have fallen from the trees. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.6, s. 18.

10 Alfalfa in the Canadian West F.W.L. Sladen (1918) advocated Megachile spp. for pollination To the 1940s, system seemed effective (Salt 1940) High productivity of alfalfa seed leads to expansion of fields By 1950s, problems! Sladen

11 Huge alfalfa fields, no Megachile nesting habitat, except around edges Seed Yields drop: 1000 to 15 kg/ha (Stephen 1955) Solution

12 Alfalfa leafcutting bee husbandry G. Hobbs, Lethbridge, AB (perfected by mid 1960s) Gordon Hobbs

13 Bumblebee culture MB Plowright & Jay 1966 ON Kevan et al BC Dogterom 1998 ON Morandin et al BC Winston team

14 Still air Hand pollination Labour costs $$$ Reliability Timing

15 First records: Quebec, 1820s; Ontario, 1830s Industrial growth for honey and other hive products 1891 = 145,000 colonies for 1.5 million kg of honey in Ontario

16 Problems Pesticides Diseases Parasites Economics Solutions

17 Pesticides legislation, product labeling, use reduction Diseases sanitation (ON Foul Brood Act 1889, 1906) bee breeding for resistance Parasites Border closures banning import problems Profitability Honey prices vs. cost of opperation

18 Bee breeding programs (incl. Instrumental insemination) Selection for overwintering & honey production Resistance to tracheal mites (Nasr, 1980 on) Resistance to Varroa mites (Nasr & Wilson 1990s) Research centres: AAFC (Beaverlodge AB); U of Guelph; U Manitoba; Simon Fraser U.; others

19 Colony losses in most of Canada Overwintering losses: up to & over 30% of colonies/year Cost = $5+ Million/year to the industry Costs of Pest, Parasite & Disease management rising Pollination demands rising Crying need for more R & D!

20 Maritimes & Quebec Canadian production 300 Million kg/yr Exports = $323 Million Must be pollinated by bees Buzz pollination Wild bees (70+ species) Honeybees

21 Blueberry Pie Ecosystem & Pesticides Before Fenitrothion used against spruce budworm

22 Blueberry Pie Ecosystem & Pesticides During Fenitrothion use This example: New Brunswick Other similar examples: Quebec, Ontario

23 New Brunswick s Blueberries, Bees, and Pesticides Fenitrothion Crop loss 0.7 million kg/year!

24 Solutions Litigation Restraining orders More science Other pesticides Other pollinators Other plants Other places Disrupted ecosystem function Reduced pollinator diversity and abundance Reduced fruit & seed set

25 Solution Tighter control on forest pesticide use More emphasis on biocontrol Recognition of pollinators in forest ecosystem function New Brunswick blueberry story was the start of a major trend in pollinator conservation worldwide

26 Est. value = $1.3 to $1.7 Billion annually in Canada 300,000 colonies for hybrid canola seed 35,000 colonies for blueberries 15,000 colonies for fruit average $120/ colony = $42 Million in hive rentals/year Honey = $110 Million/year (28 Million kg)

27 Commodity Value (Annual) Bee value (annual) Apples >$100 Million Alfalfa seed >$40 Million $15 20 Million (LCbees) Blueberries $400 Million Greenhouse Tomatoes $290 Million $3.7 Million (bumblebees) Honey $110 Million $42 Million (hive rentals) Just to mention a few, major crops! What about Pollinator Shortages & Economic Impacts?

globally Pollinator shortage = crop reductions = higher price of

28 Economics of Pollination Shortfalls Insect pollination has an estimated worth for food and fibre production of $217 Billion/year globally Pollinator shortage = crop reductions = higher price of production = consumer pays but if prices are set internationally, Canadian farmer pays

29 Convention on Biological Diversity São Paulo declaration on pollinators (1998) International Pollinators Initiative (FAO ) Global biodiversity initiatives (GBIF, IABIN) The Forgotten Pollinators Campaign (1995) North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (2000) (Charles was involved) Regional & National Initiatives follow

30 NRCanada (1981) Pesticide Pollinator Interactions AgCanada (1989) National Workshop, Winnipeg Ent. Soc. Canada (1997) Pollinators & Mother Earth Canadian at International & US meetings (1992, , ) Assessment of Canadian Legislation (2007) (Tang, Wice,Thomas & Kevan: Int. J. Biodiv. Sci. & Mgt. 3:46-55 ) (with special help from Charles) US NRC (2007) Status of Pollinators in North America

health & sustainability Plant reproductive needs Insect pollination & wind pollination

31 $5 Million for 5 years NSERC funding Charles agreed to serve as 1 st Board of Directors Chair 27 Institutions & 50 Scientists cooperating on: Wild pollinator diversity Managed pollinator health & sustainability Plant reproductive needs Insect pollination & wind pollination Ecosystem function, complexity & conservation Predictions Climate & land-use changes Economics & Policy issues

32 Pollination intrigued Charles as multidisciplinary, practical and ecological Environment Sustainability Economy Trade & Commerce Conservation National & International Human Welfare Major policy ramifications Legislation

Canada s Pioneering Roles in Protecting Pollinators

Canada s Pioneering Roles in Protecting Pollinators Peter Kevan University of Guelph November 19, 2009 Canadian Club of Halton Peel Why Protect Pollinators? Food Security Fibre Production Vegetable Oils