Pollinators of Arizona The Importance of Pollinators

What is Pollination? Pollination: The transfer of pollen from the anthers of a flower to the stigma of the same flower of another flower Pollination is a prerequisite for fertilization: the fusion of nuclei from the pollen grain with nuclei in the ovule. Fertilization allows the flower to develop seeds. A pollinator is one who pollinates, an agent (animal or insect) that carries pollen from one flower to another. http://blog.nwf.org/2014/06/photo-gallery-seven-surprising-pollinators/ http://udreview.com/and-then-there-were-none-monarch-butterfly-population-dying-out/

https://www. windowssearch-exp. com/images/search https://www.windowssearch-exp.com/images/search?q=Pollination+Cycle&FORM=RESTAB

Types of Pollination There are two types of pollination Self Pollination: Involves only one flower. This event occurs when pollen grains from the anther fall directly onto the stigma of the same flower. Cross Pollination: The transfer of pollen from the male reproductive organ of a plant to a female reproductive organ (a stigma or a female cone) of another plant. Insects and wind are the main agents of cross-pollination. http://www.teambuildingne.com/?q=blog_innovation http://www.technocrazed.com/scientists-respond-to-the-threat-of-disappearing-bees-by-making-insect-robots-for-cross-pollination http://www.online-sciences.com/the-living-organisms/the-types-and-methods-of-pollination-in-the-plants/

Broad Billed Hummingbird Arizona Pollinators Broad Billed Hummingbird Bumble Bee Sonoran Desert Bat www.kimballstock.com http://hqworld.net/gallery/details.php?image Monarch Butterfly Pollen Wasp White Tailed Moth https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pollen_wasp_August-2.jpg https://goodmorninggloucester.wordpress.com www.kenelks.co.uk

Why are Pollinators Important? Pollination is important not only for crop production, but also for desert plants and maintenance of natural ecosystems. native plants dependent upon pollinators for their continued existence Eighty percent of the world’s crop species, including food, beverage, medicine, dye, and fiber crops, rely on animal pollinators. Pollinators are vital to the stability of the world’s ecosystem Without pollinators, life on planet Earth as we know it would not exist. https://www.buglife.org.uk/campaigns-and-our-work/campaigns/get-britain-buzzing

Pollination Fun Facts 90% of all Flowering Plants need the help of animal pollinators Of the estimated 1,330 crop plants grown worldwide for food, beverages, fibers, condiments, spices, and medicines approximately 75% are pollinated by animals. The main threats affecting pollinators are habitat loss, pesticide, and interspecies disease. The color or markings on a flower helps attract and guide insects to them for pollination.  A flower’s fragrance is another way that animals are attracted to plants, especially at night when moths and bats are out.

What we can do as Citizens to help Pollination Conservation Plant a Pollinator Garden using native plants in your local area Build a Bee Sanctuary or nesting site Have water dishes spread throughout your garden for bees and butterflies Eat Organically, avoid pesticides on your food and in your personal garden Stay educated on the issues of pollination collapse and endangered pollinators Get involved in your local community garden or start a school garden

For More Information on Pollination Conservation Refer to these Helpful Websites http://www.xerces.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Plants-Poll-Habitat-AZ-2012.pdf http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/features/panels.shtml http://www.denix.osd.mil/nr/upload/Pollinator-Guide-English.pdf http://plants.usda.gov/pollinators/Using_Farm_Bill_Programs_for_Pollinator_Conservation.pdf http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/plantsanimals

http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/