Working Trees Info: How Can Agroforestry Help Pollinators?

Authors

Date of this Version

1-2016

Citation

Published by the United States Department of Agriculture, National Agroforestry Center (NAC), University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska

2nd edition, January 2016

Comments

United States government work

Abstract

Over one hundred crop species in North America require a visit from an insect pollinator to be most productive. In the past, native bees, feral honey bees, and other pollinators could meet the needs of these diverse crops because farms were typically interspred with pollinator habitat. Today, farms in the United States are larger and have less nearby habitat to support pollinators.

Private landowners can do a lot to support these critical pollinators by providing habitat and food sources for honey bees, native bees, butterflies, and others. Pollinator habitat and floral diversity on the farm also benefit producers of insect pollinated crops by improving pollination and increasing yield. Agroforestry practices can be designed to meet the needs of both pollinators and landowners.