Ground-Level Air Pollution Reduces Pollination Success
A study in the United Kingdom, published in the journal Environmental Pollution, found that there were up to 70% fewer pollinators, up to 90% fewer flower visits, and an overall pollination reduction of up to 31% in test plants when common ground-level air pollutants, including diesel exhaust pollutants and ozone, were present. The study used pollution concentrations well below maximum average levels, equating to 40 to 50% of the limits currently defined by U.S. law as safe for the environment. Dr. Robbie Girling at the University of Reading, who led the project, said, "We knew from our previous lab studies...