Small patches of native plants help boost pollination services in large farms

Wednesday, December 5, 2012 - 11:01 in Mathematics & Economics

Isolation from natural habitat can lead to productivity losses due to lack of pollinators. Introducing areas of native vegetation within cropland has been proposed as a way to supplement pollinators, but this measure is perceived by farmers to carry costs that outweigh production-benefits. This study shows that small patches of native flowers, that do not compromise production area, increase mango pollination services in South Africa. Such measure allows increases in production without further expanding cropland.

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