Pollination as an ecosystem service
Diversity of fruit dependent on pollination
Fruits labelled by pollination method
Indigenous fruit of Central Europe
Pollination is a pivotal function in all terrestrial ecosystems, binding together the fate of plants and animals. Plants use animals for sexual reproduction and for pollen transportation and offer rewards such as nectar, pollen, oils and aromatic compounds in return.
Pollination sustains biodiversity: Over 85 percent of all plants are animal-pollinated. Plant diversity depends on pollination, and many animals live on pollinated plants.
As an ecosystem service, pollination secures and affects about 35 percent of global crop production. It plays an important part in food security. Many garden plants, herbs, spice plants and medicinal plants require pollination.
The total economic value of pollination as an ecosystem service is estimated at €153 million a year.
