Unveiling the benefits and gaps of wild pollinators on nutrition and income

Abstract

Insect pollinators play a crucial role in global crop production, enhancing fruit and seed yield, improving fruit quality, and increasing crop nutritional value. However, wild pollinator populations worldwide have been experiencing alarming declines. This study investigates the contribution of wild pollinators to nutrition and farmers income in Canada, while examining the spatial distribution of these services. Using publicly available data on crop types, yields, nutrient content, and farm gate values, alongside information on natural habitats, we estimated the benefits of wild pollinators across national agricultural landscapes. Our findings reveal that these pollinators sustain approximately 24.4 million equivalent people each year in terms of nutrition and generate an annual income of nearly CAD$2.8 billion for farmers. However, significant benefit gaps exist due to the lack of nearby pollinator habitats and insufficient pollination of dependent crops on a national scale. Addressing these gaps could provide an additional nutrition supply for nearly 30 million equivalent people and increase farmer income by CAD$3 billion. We discuss how and where efforts focused on preserving and enhancing wild pollinator habitats, promoting sustainable farming practices, and raising awareness among stakeholders are crucial for the long-term viability of wild pollinator populations and the sustainability of agricultural systems. This research underscores the urgent need for a national strategy aimed at safeguarding wild pollinators. Implementing such a strategy would not only contribute to strengthening local economies in the regions highlighted in our work but also ensure the production of nutritionally essential food.