Pollinator-plant interactions disrupted by nitrate radicals

Subject: Environment

Section: Biodiversity

Context:

Air pollutants reduce nocturnal hawkmoth pollination of evening primrose flowers by altering the flowers’ appealing scents, as per a study.

Details:

The findings illustrate the impact of anthropogenic airborne pollutants on an animal’s olfactory ability and suggest that such pollutants may limit global pollination.
The study reveals that air pollutants, specifically oxidants like ozone (O3) and nitrate radicals (NO3), significantly impact the nocturnal hawkmoth pollination of evening primrose flowers in Washington state by altering the flowers’ scents.
This alteration hinders the hawkmoths’ ability to locate the flowers, as these pollutants degrade the scent compounds essential for pollination.
NO3, particularly prevalent at night in polluted areas, was found to be more reactive than O3, targeting and oxidizing specific monoterpenes vital for hawkmoth recognition of the flowers.
The oxidation of these scents led to a 70% reduction in hawkmoth visitation, potentially decreasing plant fruiting and overall fitness.
Human activities have altered the environment. Airborne pollutants, such as oxidants like ozone and nitrate radicals, are known to degrade the chemical compounds that produce floral scents.

Source: TH