Globalisation and pollinators: Pollinator declines are an economic threat to global food systems

People and Nature

article

James T. Murphy¹  Tom D. Breeze³  Bryony Willcox³  Saorla Kavanagh¹  Jane C. Stout¹ 

[1] Discipline of Botany, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin;Environmental Protection Agency;Centre for Agri-Environmental Research, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading

关键词: agriculture;    economic valuation;    global value chain;    globalisation;    pollination services;    trade;   

DOI  :  10.1002/pan3.10314

学科分类：护理学

来源: Wiley

【 摘 要 】

1. Trade in animal-pollinated crops plays an important role in global food systems:in many low-income countries, export of pollinated crops such as coffee andcocoa plays a significant role in livelihoods, while food systems in many higherincome nations depend on international trade in these crops to satisfy their localdemands. Losses of pollination services therefore pose a significant risk to economies beyond the area directly affected.2. Using a simple extension of a common economic model, we explore whichcountries are most affected by a loss of pollination services in three case studygroups of 25 countries that are vulnerable to different risks: pesticide use, natural disasters and economic debts.3. In all three cases, large, developed economies such as the United Kingdom,Germany and Japan, are estimated to suffer the greatest economic losses, evenif pollinator losses only affect smaller, less-developed economies.4. In cases where higher income countries are affected by pollinator losses, there isa significant shift in the value of global pollinated crop production towards otherlarge, unaffected countries.5. Our findings highlight the need for richer countries to invest in pollinator conservation beyond their own borders to maintain resilient food systems. Weprovide suggestions for further economic research to better understand andidentify system vulnerabilities to pollinator losses.

【 授权许可】

CC BY