Environmental pollution is one of the biggest challenges facing the planet, and it is especially visible in large cities. Human activities, the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, industrialization, among other factors, have generated a significant increase in pollution levels. And not only from the air. Also from aquatic or soil pollution. All in all, pollution and global warming are having a profound impact on ecosystems and natural biodiversity.
One of the most pronounced impacts of pollution and global warming is observed in ecosystems and natural biodiversity. For example, in the delicate balance of pollination, which is in danger and puts the survival of many floral species at risk.
Air pollution, for example, can affect the production and release of volatile compounds that give flowers their characteristic fragrance. These compounds are key to attracting pollinators, and their alteration can make it difficult for the latter to locate and feed on the flowers.
Additionally, pollution can have direct toxic effects on pollinators, reducing their population and diversity. The compounds associated with pollution “cause the degeneration of leaf tissues, producing localized spots that present reddish-white brown tones or a pale green-yellow coloration due to a chlorophyll deficiency. If the action of the pollutant is very strong, it can paralyze the growth of the plant,” they say from the Air Quality portal of the Madrid City Council.
On the other hand, climate change is also causing changes in the flowering and migration patterns of pollinators, which can modify normal pollination processes and make it even more difficult. According to a study published by the Autonomous University of Barcelona, ??“climate change is promoting changes in the distribution of species”, in such a way that alterations are being observed in the pre-production of some plants “suggesting that this variation may have consequences on the system stability. In other words, climate change is also modifying the normal pollination process of flowers and the relationships between plants and pollinators.
Pollution represents a serious threat to the delicate relationship between flowers and their pollinators. It is essential to understand the magnitude of this problem and take urgent action to protect these vital ecosystems.
