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Pollination:
A threatened vital biodiversity service to humans and the
environment
Gordian C. Obute
Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, University of
Port Harcourt, Choba, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. E-mail:
goddie_chi@yahoo.com.
Accepted 20 October, 2009 |
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Pollination is one major biodiversity service that cannot be
adequately quantified economically yet the variety of
approaches nature has engaged to accomplish it is hardly
appreciated. In this review, the types and agents of
pollination, faunal and floral architectural and behavioural
adaptations and special rare cases of pollination syndromes
are highlighted. Anthropogenic roles that have resulted of
threats to pollination and pollinators were identified as
habitat
fragmentation and loss, deforestation, desertification,
industrial and infrastructural development. These eventually
impinge on the unique ecological and economic services that
pollination renders to sustain life on planet earth.
Key words: Pollination, biodiversity, floral architecture,
faunal behaviour. |