A Global Review of Urban Pollinators and Implications for Maintaining Pollination Services in Tropical Cities
Issued Date
2025-01-01
Resource Type
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105024041171
Journal Title
Ecology of Tropical Cities Volume II Biodiversity People Places
Start Page
291
End Page
313
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Ecology of Tropical Cities Volume II Biodiversity People Places (2025) , 291-313
Suggested Citation
Maruyama P.K., Gomes I.N., Bosenbecker C., Cardoso J.C.F., Silva J.L.S., Cruz-Neto O., Lopes A.V., Oliveira W., Stewart A.B. A Global Review of Urban Pollinators and Implications for Maintaining Pollination Services in Tropical Cities. Ecology of Tropical Cities Volume II Biodiversity People Places (2025) , 291-313. 313. doi:10.1007/978-3-031-70867-1_12 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/113508
Title
A Global Review of Urban Pollinators and Implications for Maintaining Pollination Services in Tropical Cities
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Pollinators provide essential ecosystem services worldwide, but dependence on biotic pollination is higher in the tropics, where urbanization is expected to impact biodiversity more severely. Here, we present a global review on urban pollinator studies with emphasis on the tropics. From the 308 published studies that included information on pollinator groups, only ~25% were conducted in tropical regions, while ~65% were carried out in the non-tropical northern hemisphere. This overall trend was similar for all the major insect pollinator groups, but not for vertebrates, which were overall less studied in both tropical and non-tropical regions. The effects of urbanization on tropical pollinators are diverse and complex and likely depend on the extent and type of urbanization, as well as the pollinator taxa studied. For both insect and vertebrate pollinators, the existing studies suggest that tropical cities can support generalist species tolerant of human activity, but the lack of studies hampers other general conclusions. The underrepresentation of pollinator studies in tropical cities undermines the value of urban biodiversity conservation in the most biodiverse regions of the world and highlights a missing opportunity. Since promoting urban biodiversity benefits both nature and people, it could be especially relevant in the Global South, where economic and social inequalities are severe and pollinator conservation may contribute to sustainability goals. In this context, initiatives that foster more international collaborations and research in the tropics are essential for a better understanding of the effects of urbanization and the value of pollinators in urban areas. Such knowledge can provide the basis for better urban planning strategies that contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and maintenance of pollination services in tropical cities.