An ancient and crucial relationship between flowering plants and pollinators may be undergoing a significant change, according to a new study. Many flowering plants traditionally rely on pollinators like butterflies and bees for reproduction, even though they can self-pollinate.
However, declines in pollinator populations have led to a surprising evolution in the mating system of some flower species.
Unraveling Evolutionary Threads
The study, led by Samson Acoca-Pidolle and published in the journal New Phytologist, focuses on the wild field pansy (Viola arvensis) and explores the impact of environmental changes on its reproductive evolution.
By comparing seeds collected decades ago with modern descendants, researchers found that today’s flowers are smaller, produce less nectar, and exhibit increased self-pollination. This shift has direct consequences for pollinator behavior.
The decrease in nectar production and increased self-pollination observed in the study could create a feedback loop, accelerating the decline of pollinators.
If plants produce less nectar, it reduces the available food for pollinators, leading to a further decline in their numbers. The study suggests that this represents an evolutionary breakdown of plant-pollinator interactions in the wild.
Using a method called “resurrection ecology,” the researchers germinated seeds collected in the 1990s and early 2000s, comparing them with modern samples. The results showed a significant increase in self-fertilization rates and changes in floral traits associated with pollinator attraction.
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Self-Pollination on Plant Populations
While increased self-pollination can act as a holding-on strategy for plant populations, preserving them during challenging times, the decline in genetic variation poses risks. Genetic diversity is crucial for a population’s ability to adapt to environmental changes and reduces the risk of extinction.
The study emphasizes the urgent need for conservation measures to protect pollinators and highlights the lasting impact of human activities on the evolutionary trajectories of plant species.
The researchers also point out that more research is needed to understand whether the evolutionary shift observed can be reversed and the implications for both plants and pollinators.
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