Pollination value as an ecosystem service

Abstract

The objective of this study is to present the issues associated with insect pollination as an environmental service. Moreover, it presents the methods of estimating the value of pollination and the results of the research into that value. Research indicates a significant value of pollination – between 153 and 167 billion dollars in the world. Depending on the estimation method, the value of plant pollination by insects may vary. The differences reach as much as several dozen percent. The discrepancies result from different understanding of the term “value”, and in the case of cultivated plants – from significant diversification of the data on
the impact of pollination on the crops (available in the subject literature). The literature is dominated by research in determining the value of pollination for cultivated plants. The research into the economic value of pollination for maintaining biodiversity is conducted at a very small scale.