New study puts spotlight on neglected mammal, bird pollinators

Sub : Environment

Sec: Biodiversity

Context:

New research reveals that mammal and bird pollinators in India face significant threats, with hotspots and extinction risks identified.

Details:

Mammal pollinator hotspots are in the south of the Western Ghats (Kollam and Pathanamthitta in Kerala and Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu), while bird pollinator diversity is more widespread.
An analysis of the hotspots of threatened vertebrate pollinator species- based on the IUCN Red List of conservation status of plants, animals and other organisms– shows that only mammal pollinators such as certain bats, monkeys and squirrels are currently classified as threatened in India.
The study found multiple hotspots of population declines for birds and mammal pollinators mainly in the south of Western Ghats.

Threats to Pollinators:

Human activities such as agriculture, logging, and hunting pose major threats to pollinators.
These threats have ecological and economic consequences, including reduced food production, plant extinction, and economic damage.
The study emphasizes the need for vertebrate pollinators’ protection in conservation agendas.

Importance of Bats and Mammal Pollinators:

Bats are highlighted as vital and economically important pollinators, with their decline due to inadequate protection.
Fruit-bat species (For example- the Indian flying fox, the greater short-nosed fruit bat, and Leschenault’s rousett) are crucial for pollinating and seed-dispersing economically important plants.
- Indian giant squirrel Ratufa indica and the jungle palm squirrel Funambulus tristriatus in India are endemic to the Western Ghats.
Of the 13 fruit-bat species of India, all but Latidens salimalii or Salim Ali’s fruit-bat, considered one of the three rarest bats in the world, are listed as pests or vermin under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
Mammal pollinator species endemic to the Western Ghats, like the Indian giant squirrel, face habitat destruction and harvesting pressures.

Pollinator-Friendly Conservation Methods:

The study highlights gaps in pollinator distribution, indicating habitat fragmentation and its ecological implications.
It suggests implementing conservation methods such as establishing pollinator corridors and planting pollinator-friendly plants.
These practices are common in Europe but not yet widely implemented in India.

Significance of the Study:

This study is the first comprehensive analysis of the species richness and extinction risk of bird and mammal pollinators in India.
It fills a knowledge gap, as prior research focused primarily on insect pollinators.
The study reinforces the need for prompt conservation actions for vertebrate pollinators due to their significant ecosystem and agricultural impacts.