Pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from the anthers (male structures) to the stigma (female receptive surface) of flowers, enabling fertilization and subsequent seed and fruit formation in seed plants. It can occur via abiotic vectors such as wind and water or biotic agents including insects, birds, bats, and other animals. Pollination biology investigates floral traits, plant–pollinator interactions, pollen viability and compatibility, and temporal/spatial patterns of pollen flow. It is central to studies of plant reproduction, gene flow, population genetics, coevolution, and community ecology, and underpins many agroecological and conservation research programs focused on pollinator services and plant reproductive success.
Bees and butterflies help produce our food by pollinating the crops farmers grow. In fact, 35% of the world's food crops, including fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, depend on pollinators.
Ecology
Sep 25, 2025
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Heterostyly, a floral polymorphism where a species produces two or three distinct flower types with reciprocal arrangements of stigmas and anthers, boosts pollination accuracy, reduces sexual interference, and encourages ...
Plants & Animals
Sep 18, 2025
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23
A study of migratory hoverflies on a North Sea oil rig has revealed their vital role as long-distance pollen transporters.
Plants & Animals
Sep 18, 2025
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121
In the first long-term, community-level field study of wild bumble bee nutrition, a team of ecologists led by Northwestern University and the Chicago Botanic Garden discovered that wild bees aren't just flitting from flower ...
Plants & Animals
Aug 26, 2025
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55
Tiny but mighty, honey bees play a crucial role in our ecosystems, pollinating various plants and crops. They also support the economy. These small producers contribute billions of dollars to Canada's agriculture industry, ...
Plants & Animals
Jul 15, 2025
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29
Ongoing research into the effect of environmental change on the buzzing of bees reveals that high temperatures and exposure to heavy metals reduces the frequency (and audible pitch) of non-flight wing vibrations, which could ...
Plants & Animals
Jul 8, 2025
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125
Climate can vary across large areas of land, but it can also vary within much smaller areas such as farms. A new study by researchers at Penn State has examined whether these microclimates—the climate of a very small or restricted ...
Plants & Animals
Jun 24, 2025
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106
A study indicates that projected droughts by the end of this century could reduce the caloric value of flower nectar by up to 95%. This would harm pollinators, such as bees, as well as plants that depend on cross-pollination ...
Plants & Animals
Jun 24, 2025
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125
An international research team has achieved a significant breakthrough in research into the reproduction of dogrose. The study, which has now been published in Nature, shows how differences in the size of the centromeres—the ...
Plants & Animals
Jun 18, 2025
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53
The global decline of wild bee populations is alarming. Landscapes characterized by intensive agriculture offer hardly any suitable habitats. Isolated local efforts are often not enough to counteract this loss.
Ecology
Jun 18, 2025
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