Agri-Environmental Schemes: Lifeline for Wildflower Pollinators

Agriculture has been an integral part of human civilisation for a very long time. The agriculture pattern has been changing with our needs and requirements. With the rise in population agricultural production has also increased with fast pace. But, on the other side, this increased agricultural production has been causing loss to flower-rich habitats in pollinators by degradation of soil and harming plants.

Now the necessity to maintain and restore diverse plants in agricultural landscapes in order to mitigate the negative effects of modern agricultural practices is felt. This process is called “Agri-environmental schemes (AES)” which is being implemented by many European countries.  After a lot of research on various plants and their pollination pattern it has been observed that if an efficient key plant species is selected during the flowering season then it will be easier to improve the pollination.  It is also found that flower mixtures planted within AES does not need to be highly diverse to support pollinators in agricultural landscapes. As per the research protection of pollinators will be most successful when AES are directed at advancing the sustainable use of arable landscapes. Pollination is the most important activity for the safety and survival of various plants including flower rich plants. Therefore, Agri-environmental schemes (AES)” is a step towards saving the beauty of nature by protecting flowery plants’ species.

By: Anita Aishvarya

Content: www.sciencedaily.com