Reading: Climate Change and Crop Pollination

corn plant on field
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A report that describes the effect of climate change on animal pollinators and crop pollination. This report from 2011 by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) details the different climate variables, such as temperature, precipitation and extreme climate events that affect crop pollination. It further highlights the potential economic implications of climate change on crop pollination and, thereby, on global food security.

Students will understand the effects of climate change on pollinators, and the temperature sensitivity of crop pollinators and entomophilous crops. They will further learn about how climate change has affected quality and quantity of nectar and pollen, phenological events, pollinator behavior, visitation rates, and distribution. 

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. What are the impacts of climate change on insect pollination?
  2. Discuss the importance of insect pollination for global food security.

About the tool

Tool NamePotential Effects of Climate Change on Crop Pollination
DisciplineBiological Sciences; Environmental Sciences
Topic(s) in DisciplinePollination, Fertilization, Insect Pollination, Pollinators, Plant-Pollinator Systems, Adaptations, Nectar Guides, Types of Pollinators
Climate Topic Climate and the Biosphere
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelUndergraduate
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byFood and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Hosted atFood and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Website
Linkhttp://www.fao.org/3/i2242e/i2242e.pdf
AccessOnline/Offline
Computer SkillsBasic
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