In Our Time cover image

In Our Time

Pollination

Apr 3, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Beverley Glover, Director of the Cambridge University Botanic Garden, Jane Memmott, Professor of Ecology, and Lars Chittka, Professor of Sensory and Behavioural Ecology, dive into the intricate dance of pollination. They explore the clever strategies plants use to attract pollinators, revealing the sophisticated cognition of bees in flower selection. The conversation highlights the alarming decline in pollinator populations and its implications for ecosystems and agriculture, emphasizing the urgent need for biodiversity and conservation.
50:10

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Quick takeaways

  • Pollination is essential for plant reproduction, involving complex adaptations like vibrant colors and enticing scents to attract pollinators.
  • Insect pollination is more effective than wind pollination due to its targeted approach and the nutritional rewards plants offer insects.

Deep dives

The Mechanism of Pollination

Pollination is crucial for the sexual reproduction of most plant species, requiring the transfer of male sex cells, or sperm, to female egg cells. Plants create pollen grains that can be carried by wind, water, or animals, notably insects, to achieve this transfer. This complex process evolved over approximately 300 million years, with plants developing unique adaptations to attract their pollinators, including vibrant colors and enticing scents. Through these means, plants increase their chances of successful reproduction while ensuring biodiversity.

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