Agroecological Strategies to Safeguard Insect Pollinators in Biodiversity Hotspots: Chile as a Case Study

Abstract

Industrial agriculture (IA) has been recognized among the main drivers of biodiversity loss, climate change, and native pollinator decline. Here we summarize the known negative effects of IA on pollinator biodiversity and illustrate these problems by considering the case of Chile, a “world biodiversity hotspot” (WBH) where food exports account for a considerable share of the economy in this country. Most of Chile’s WBH area is currently being replaced by IA at a fast pace, threatening local biodiversity. We present an agroecological strategy for sustainable food production and pollinator conservation in food-producing WBHs. In this we recognize native pollinators as internal inputs that cannot be replaced by IA technological packages and support the development of agroecological and biodiversity restorative practices to protect biodiversity. We suggest four fundamental pillars for food production change based on: (1) sharing the land, restoring and protecting; (2) ecological intensification; (3) localized knowledge, research, and technological development; and (4) territorial planning and implementation of socio-agroecological policies. This approach does not need modification of native pollination services that sustain the world with food and basic subsistence goods, but a paradigm changes where the interdependency of nature and human wellbeing must be recognized for ensuring the world’s food security and sovereignty.

Insect Epigenetic Mechanisms Facing Anthropogenic-Derived Contamination, an Overview

“…Neonicotinoids lead to death and to a wide array of critical sub-lethal impacts in Insecta evaluated in field-realistic exposure, including alterations linked to EMMs (both in managed and wild species) [43,119,137,158,204]. These consequences led to the loss of the ecosystem services provided by these insects, including nutrient cycling and pollination [205]. These declines in local insect biodiversity have been shown to be linked to unexpected costs in agricultural production under industrialized management and impacts on the health of managed agroecosystems [206].…”

“…This kind of research is of high importance due to the menace that declining numbers of bees and other flying insects represent for all kinds of ecosystems and for human survival [15,224]. Despite all of these problems detected in different non-target organisms, the use of neonicotinoids is currently poorly regulated, especially in developing countries [205].…”

“…Thus, a change towards a better understanding of insect epigenetics as well as the application of agroecological approaches promoting sustainable agriculture is a must [54,205,262]). Future evidence of EMM-related changes in insects exposed to pesticides may serve as bioindicators of potentially dangerous levels of exposure to contamination in our own species.…”

Local Actions to Tackle a Global Problem: A Multidimensional Assessment of the Pollination Crisis in Chile

“…It has been observed that a decrease in bacterial diversity reduces the immune response against pathogens but also affects the metabolism and degradation of carbohydrates and sugar [85]. Recently, Henríquez-Piskulich et al [86] described 44 pesticides used in Chile but banned by the European Union, all producing damage to bees. Although Chilean law demands that the farmers must notify the agricultural authority before using pesticides, this is only required when pesticides are applied near honeybee hives (Act N • 158/2015).…”

Impact of Chronic Exposure to Two Neonicotinoids on Honey Bee Antennal Responses to Flower Volatiles and Pheromonal Compounds

“…LRI, Linear retention index calculated in relation to n-alkanes. LRIb, Linear retention index already published in peer-reviewed journals and listed inPubChem(1) or Pherobase(2). When possible, the LRI was verified by a standard compound ( † ).The volatile compounds were collected in April 2018 by CLSA technique for 3 h. The compounds were identified by mass spectrometry and confirmed by linear retention indexes from the literature or laboratory standards when available.…”