It is safe to say that humans are generally nonchalant about biodiversity or matters around it. Yet, our survival is hinged on the existence and sustenance of biodiversity. One vital group of species that contribute immensely to green life, and in extension, general life, are pollinators. We may be familiar with the term from our primary or secondary schools. So, let's have a brief recap of the subject.
Let’s start off with the meaning of pollination and its significance to agriculture. Pollination is the transfer of pollen grains between the reproductive components of a flower i.e. from the male anther of a flower to the female stigma. The transfer of the pollen grains is how seeds are produced, in order for new plants (offspring) to be generated.
Why Pollination?
The phenomenon of pollination is not just some fancy facts or history about flowers. It is a vital part of human survival - Pollination is necessary for reproduction in most of the plants which are our food sources. This reproduction is a vital process that keeps the food chain going - helping us to renew our sources and producing more plants for the benefit of general environmental sustainability. Pollination is as critical as survival for us, and the planet at large. It’s safe to say that it keeps the world going. So, why not? Let’s get to know how it works.
The process of pollination - how it works.
Pollination occurs when a flower's anther releases pollen and a pollinator visits the flower. Pollinator bodies are covered in pollen from anthers, and they transfer the pollen to the stigma as they visit another flower. Let's look at a few top pollinators that make this reproduction possible.
Birds
Small bird species that pollinate plants like orchids and other wildflowers include hummingbirds and sunbirds. Flowers that are frequented by birds are typically robust and orientated so that the birds may stay close to the flower without having their wings tangled in the neighboring flowers. The bloom usually has a bent, tubular shape that makes it accessible to the beak of birds. Birds pollinate flowers that are open during the day and are brightly colorful and unscented. Pollen is spread from a bird's head and neck to the next flower it visits as it searches for energy-dense nectar.
Bees
This is probably the first you were expecting on the list. Bees are one of the most common of the group of insect pollinators. Bees are attracted to plants with open or tubular flowers that are flat and have a lot of pollen and nectar. Bees may be particularly attracted to a flower's aroma and may be drawn in by its vibrant colors.
Some pollen from the stamens, the male reproductive part of the flower, adheres to the hairs on a bee's body while she gathers nectar and pollen from a flower. A portion of this pollen gets rubbed off on the stigma, or tip, of the pistil, the flower's female reproductive organ, before she moves on to the next blossom. This opens the door to fertilization, which then opens the door to the development of a fruit with seeds.
Insects and Flies
Just like bees, Flies and other insects like beetles, butterflies, moths, and ants, are important pollinators. While many flies are attracted to dull flowers that have a decaying smell, butterflies are attracted to brightly colored flowers with a strong fragrance. While the hairs on a bee’s body pick up the pollen grains, butterflies pick up pollens with their limbs.
Generally, bees and other insects have a dynamic symbiotic relationship with the plants they pollinate. They accidentally pollinate plants for reproduction while looking for food. Ultimately, they get nutrients from the plant while they transfer pollens.
These pollinators contribute a great deal to agriculture. As a matter of fact, without them, the hunger crisis which SDG 2 aims at solving would be on a far more critical scale. But despite the importance of these pollinators, we often put our survival at risk by engaging in activities that threaten their existence. It is necessary that we identify these unsustainable practices and work towards curbing them if we don't want to have a drought crisis on our hands. These are what we'll be discussing on in our subsequent articles.
— Adeola Olalere
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