Assessing economic benefits of pollination services by natural pollinators

In natural ecosystem, insect pollinate more than 50% of tropical forest and thus play a major role in maintaining and conserving biodiversity. In agricultural ecosystem, many agricultural crops are dependent on insects for their pollination (Klein et al., 2007). Crops and other cultivars benefit from pollination services of nearby forest or other natural habitats, which provide forage and nesting space for pollinators (Roubik, 1995Kremen et al., 2002, 2004Klein et al., 2003, De Marco and Coelho, 2004Ricketts, 2004). Bees and other pollinating animals supply a valuable input to agricultural production that can increase both the size and quality of harvests (Allen-Wardell et al., 1998). Many plants have evolved intricate relationship with many insect pollinators, without which they would not reproduce and maintain their genetic diversity (Daily et al., 1997). In consequence, natural forest ecosystem plays an important role for pollination services. Malaysia is rich with native pollinator such as bees, stingless bees and bats. Some of these species could be used to pollinate several agricultural crops such as starfruits, guava, citrus, mango, watermelon, durian and coconut. However, the pollinator numbers are declining and causing global concern for pollination services (Kearns et al., 1998). This could lead to threaten food security and biodiversity (FAO, 2007). In 2000, the Convention of Biological Diversity established an International Initiative for the Conservation and Sustainable use of Pollinators, which aims to promote sustainable use of pollinator diversity in agriculture and related ecosystem. The objective of this study was to assess the economic benefits of pollination services provided by the natural pollinators in nearby forest to four types of crops which are starfruits, guava, durian and watermelon. (Copied from article)