Plant–pollinator interactions in urban ecosystems worldwide: A comprehensive review including research funding and policy actions

• Published in: Ambio Vol. 50; no. 4; pp. 884 - 900
• Main Authors: Silva, Jéssica Luiza S., de Oliveira, Marcela Tomaz Pontes, Cruz-Neto, Oswaldo, Tabarelli, Marcelo, Lopes, Ariadna Valentina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.04.2021; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Action; Atmospheric Sciences; Biodiversity; Developed countries; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecology; Ecosystem; Ecosystem services; Ecosystems; Environment; Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology; Environmental Management; Funding; Green infrastructure; Humans; Open spaces; Physical Geography; Plant reproduction; Policy; Pollination; Pollinators; Regions; Research funding; Review; Urban areas; Urban planning; Urbanization; Urbanization; Scientometrics; Urban green areas; Ecosystem service; Urban ecology; Pollination
• ISSN: 0044-7447; 1654-7209
• DOI: 10.1007/s13280-020-01410-z

Urbanization has rapidly increased in recent decades and the negative effects on biodiversity have been widely reported. Urban green areas can contribute to improving human well-being, maintaining biodiversity, and ecosystem services (e.g. pollination). Here we examine the evolution of studies on plant–pollinator interactions in urban ecosystems worldwide, reviewing also research funding and policy actions. We documented a significant increase in the scientific production on the theme in recent years, especially in the temperate region; tropical urban ecosystems are still neglected. Plant–pollinator interactions are threatened by urbanization in complex ways, depending on the studied group (plant or pollinator [generalist or specialist]) and landscape characteristics. Several research opportunities emerge from our review. Research funding and policy actions to pollination/pollinator in urban ecosystems are still scarce and concentrated in developed countries/temperate regions. To make urban green spaces contribute to the maintenance of biodiversity and the provision of ecosystem services, transdisciplinary approaches (ecological–social–economic–cultural) are needed.