Assessing the economic and nutritional value of pollination services in Nepal
Abstract Pollination is a key ecosystem service crucial for supporting agricultural production, economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection. Understanding the economic value of pollination and its impact on human health and nutrition is essential for effective pollinator conserva...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2024-10-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-75584-x |
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| author | Kedar Devkota Charles Fernando dos Santos Alice Borges Ferreira Thomas Peter Timberlake |
| author_facet | Kedar Devkota Charles Fernando dos Santos Alice Borges Ferreira Thomas Peter Timberlake |
| author_sort | Kedar Devkota |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Pollination is a key ecosystem service crucial for supporting agricultural production, economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection. Understanding the economic value of pollination and its impact on human health and nutrition is essential for effective pollinator conservation and management. This study evaluates the economic and nutritional value of pollination services in Nepal and quantifies historic changes in pollinator reliance. Using public data on agricultural production and commodity prices, in combination with published nutritional composition values, we employ the dependency-ratio method to quantify economic and nutritional value across different regions of the country and through time. We conservatively estimate the annual economic value of pollination services in Nepal at US $477 million, representing 9% of total agricultural revenue. Pollinator-dependent crops, particularly fruits and vegetables are the source of essential nutrients; 40% of plant-based vitamin A and 14% of vitamin C are directly attributable to insect pollination. The cultivated area of these pollinator-dependent crops has increased by 91% in Nepal over 20 years – 3.7 times faster than equivalent increases in non-pollinator-dependent crops. The decline in wild pollinators during the same time period poses a threat, leading to potential pollination deficits and crop losses. Our study underscores the importance of conserving and managing pollinators to ensure sustainable agriculture, food security, and nutrition. Targeted efforts, including policy interventions and conservation strategies, are needed to safeguard pollinator populations and enhance pollination services. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4ec86a3567f74ee585d62b07040af2a4 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-10-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-4ec86a3567f74ee585d62b07040af2a42025-08-20T02:11:17ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-10-0114111110.1038/s41598-024-75584-xAssessing the economic and nutritional value of pollination services in NepalKedar Devkota0Charles Fernando dos Santos1Alice Borges Ferreira2Thomas Peter Timberlake3Faculty of Agriculture, Agricultural and Forestry UniversityDepartment of Plant Health, Faculty of Agronomy, Federal University of Rio Grande do SulDepartment of Animal Science, Animal Science Research Program, Federal University of Rio Grande do SulSchool of Biological Sciences, University of BristolAbstract Pollination is a key ecosystem service crucial for supporting agricultural production, economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection. Understanding the economic value of pollination and its impact on human health and nutrition is essential for effective pollinator conservation and management. This study evaluates the economic and nutritional value of pollination services in Nepal and quantifies historic changes in pollinator reliance. Using public data on agricultural production and commodity prices, in combination with published nutritional composition values, we employ the dependency-ratio method to quantify economic and nutritional value across different regions of the country and through time. We conservatively estimate the annual economic value of pollination services in Nepal at US $477 million, representing 9% of total agricultural revenue. Pollinator-dependent crops, particularly fruits and vegetables are the source of essential nutrients; 40% of plant-based vitamin A and 14% of vitamin C are directly attributable to insect pollination. The cultivated area of these pollinator-dependent crops has increased by 91% in Nepal over 20 years – 3.7 times faster than equivalent increases in non-pollinator-dependent crops. The decline in wild pollinators during the same time period poses a threat, leading to potential pollination deficits and crop losses. Our study underscores the importance of conserving and managing pollinators to ensure sustainable agriculture, food security, and nutrition. Targeted efforts, including policy interventions and conservation strategies, are needed to safeguard pollinator populations and enhance pollination services.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-75584-x |
| spellingShingle | Kedar Devkota Charles Fernando dos Santos Alice Borges Ferreira Thomas Peter Timberlake Assessing the economic and nutritional value of pollination services in Nepal Scientific Reports |
| title | Assessing the economic and nutritional value of pollination services in Nepal |
| title_full | Assessing the economic and nutritional value of pollination services in Nepal |
| title_fullStr | Assessing the economic and nutritional value of pollination services in Nepal |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessing the economic and nutritional value of pollination services in Nepal |
| title_short | Assessing the economic and nutritional value of pollination services in Nepal |
| title_sort | assessing the economic and nutritional value of pollination services in nepal |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-75584-x |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT kedardevkota assessingtheeconomicandnutritionalvalueofpollinationservicesinnepal AT charlesfernandodossantos assessingtheeconomicandnutritionalvalueofpollinationservicesinnepal AT aliceborgesferreira assessingtheeconomicandnutritionalvalueofpollinationservicesinnepal AT thomaspetertimberlake assessingtheeconomicandnutritionalvalueofpollinationservicesinnepal |