Diversity of insect pollinators and its relationship with the productivity of diversified agricultural systems
Keywords:
agricultural productivity, agroecosystems, biodiversity, diversified systems, ecosystem services, insect pollinators.Abstract
The diversity of insect pollinators is a fundamental component of agroecosystem functioning due to its contribution to plant reproduction, ecological stability, and the productivity of numerous crops. However, agricultural intensification, landscape simplification, loss of natural habitats, and reduction of floral resources can affect the richness and abundance of these organisms, compromising ecosystem pollination services. The objective of this research was to evaluate insect pollinator diversity and determine its relationship with the productivity of agricultural systems with different levels of diversification. A quantitative, observational, correlational, and comparative study was conducted in 18 production units classified as low, medium, and highly diversified agricultural systems, with six units per category. Insect sampling was conducted using observation transects, entomological nets, and coloured pan traps during 12 sampling sessions distributed throughout the crop flowering period. A total of 3,846 individuals belonging to 96 species, 54 genera, 22 families, and four insect orders were recorded. Diversity was assessed using species richness, abundance, Shannon-Wiener and Simpson indices, and Pielou evenness. Agricultural productivity was determined through yield per hectare, fruit set percentage, average fruit weight, and proportion of marketable fruits. Highly diversified systems showed an average richness of 61.3 species and a Shannon index of 3.42, while low-diversification systems reached 29.7 species and an index of 2.18. Average productivity was significantly higher in highly diversified systems, with a yield of 18.7 t ha⁻¹ compared with 13.2 t ha⁻¹ recorded in low-diversification systems. Pollinator richness was positively correlated with agricultural yield (r = 0.74; p < 0.001) and fruit set percentage (r = 0.79; p < 0.001). It is concluded that agricultural system diversification favours the conservation of insect pollinator communities and contributes to increased and stable productivity by strengthening ecosystem pollination services.
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