African pollination studies: where are the gaps?

Abstract

Abstract. The literature on African pollination biology is reviewed. It is found that relatively little work has been done on pollination biology in Africa, and a very small proportion of pollination relationships has so far been studied. Much of the research which has been done is of an evolutionary nature. Very little work has been conducted at the community level and comparatively little applied work, either to agriculture or conservation, was encountered. Most research has been conducted in South Africa, in particular, from the Cape region, which is the only part of Africa for which a reasonably comprehensive body of work on pollination biology exists. In a number of instances results of African studies challenge conventional understanding of pollination biology. It is argued that as more work on pollination is done in Africa, more differences between African systems and the rest of the world, particularly the North temperate regions will be found and changes to the overall conceptualization of pollination systems in different ecosystems are likely to ensue. A more thorough understanding of pollination biology would also make an important contribution to food security and conservation of biodiversity on the continent. Scientists working in fields other than pollination biology, and amateurs, should be encouraged to contribute to the groundwork of African pollination biology by the documentation of pollination relationships.Key words: pollinators, pollination syndrome, breeding system, biodiversity, pollinator conservation, crop pollination, African studies Résumé. Une revue bibliographique de la biologie de la pollinisation en Afrique est présentée. On constate que relativement peu de travaux ont été réalisées sur la biologie de la pollinisation en Afrique et qu'une très faible proportion des relations de pollinisation a été étudiées. La plupart des recherches effectuées ont porté sur des approaches évolutives. Très peu de travaux ont été conduits à l'échelle de la communauté et on a trouvé peu de travaux appliqués aussi bien dans le domaine de l'agriculture que de la conservation. La plupart des recherches ont été menées en Afrique du Sud, en particulier, dans la region du Cap, qui est la seule région d'Afrique pour laquelle on dispose d'une quantité de données acceptables sur la biologie de la pollinisation. Dans un certain nombre de cas, les résultats des études Africaines remettent en question les connaissances conventionnelles sur la biologie de la pollinisation. Ils indiquent que plus on conduira de travaux sur la pollinisation en Afrique plus de differences seront mises en évidence entre les systèmes Africains et le reste du monde, en particulier avec les régions tempérées septentrionales et que cela conduira à une modification des théories sur les systèmes de pollinisation dans les différents écosystèmes. Une meilleure connaissance de la biologie de la pollinisation pourrait également contribuer à améliorer la production agricole et la préservation de la biodiversité sur le continent. On devrait enco...

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