The human desire for almonds has historically been so strong that it is considered one of the first domesticated trees. Nowadays the California almond orchards quenches the thirst for almonds. The monocultures have become dependent on bees transported on trucks just in time for when the flowers are in bloom. This mismatch between trees and pollinators in combination with the human demand has led to experiments with self-pollinating trees. In addition, with the changing climate, almond trees might become more easily grown in, for example, the north of Europe. However, the irregular seasonal patterns that come along with climate changes might also lead to reduced synchronicity between flower and pollinator as the flower starts to bloom before the pollinators wake up from their winter sleep. Pale pink flowers covered in snow might be an iconic picture of plant-pollinator-human relationships out of sync.
Strawberry fields forever? In order to provide eager consumers with ripe strawberries all year around, bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) are made ready to be released in green houses to pollinate strawberries whatever season. To get the perfect shaped strawberry delivered to the consumer, pollination cannot be uneven. Bumblebees are considered to be the best pollinators and are used by commercial growers all over the world. They are bred in factories and shipped in boxes around the world, as seen in the bottom left corner. As always, mass breeding provides less caring environments, providing growth of diseases among pollinators, precarious work conditions for berry pickers and the need for pesticides in the blooming strawberry fields.
Lucky ones who find a four-leafed red clover who can make a wish! The four-leafed clovers are rare, and even more so now that there are considerate changes in the landscapes in, for example, Sweden. Previously, when cows grazed the fields, the red clover was abundant. As this plant grows it fixes nitrogen into the soil. As it is eaten by cows, the manure contributes to fertilizing the soil. Nowadays there are fewer grazing cows, the land is used differently which has effects on the flora and fauna.
The red clover, with its characteristic deep floral barrels, has a dedicated pollinator: the great yellow bumblebee that can reach far down with its long tongue. It is red listed in parts of Sweden. However, there are others who also want to get a hold of the yummies in the floral barrels. Nectar thieves take a bite from the side of the floral barrel and thereby skip the pollinating job, as seen in the bottom right corner. Luckily the red clover can reproduce without pollination through stolon’s. This does however make the plant more vulnerable and less adaptable to changes in the environment, as it simply makes a copy of itself and no variations.