title: Delivery of crop pollination services is an insufficient argument for wild pollinator conservation.
abstract: There is compelling evidence that more diverse ecosystems deliver greater benefits to people, and these ecosystem services have become a key argument for biodiversity conservation. However, it is unclear how much biodiversity is needed to deliver ecosystem services in a cost-effective way. Here we show that, while the contribution of wild bees to crop production is significant, service delivery is restricted to a limited subset of all known bee species. Across crops, years and biogeographical regions, crop-visiting wild bee communities are dominated by a small number of common species, and threatened species are rarely observed on crops. Dominant crop pollinators persist under agricultural expansion and many are easily enhanced by simple conservation measures, suggesting that cost-effective management strategies to promote crop pollination should target a different set of species than management strategies to promote threatened bees. Conserving the biological diversity of bees therefore requires more than just ecosystem-service-based arguments.
authors.affiliation: Animal Ecology Team, Center for Ecosystem Studies, Alterra, Wageningen UR, PO Box 47, 6700AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.|Resource Ecology Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 3a, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kleijn
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources, Rutgers University, 14 College Farm Road, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901, USA.
authors.forename: Rachael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Winfree
authors.affiliation: Departmento Ecología Integrativa, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EDB-CSIC), Avenida Américo Vespucio s/n, 41092 Sevilla, Spain.
authors.forename: Ignasi
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bartomeus
authors.affiliation: School of Biology, University of Leeds, Miall Building, Clarendon Road, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.|Department of Terrestrial Zoology, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, PO Box 9517, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Luísa G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Carvalheiro
authors.affiliation: UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, INRA, CS 40509, F-84914 Avignon, France.|UMT Protection des Abeilles dans l'Environnement, INRA, CS 40509, F-84914 Avignon, France.
authors.forename: Mickaël
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Henry
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, 578 Wilson Road, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA.
authors.forename: Rufus
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Isaacs
authors.affiliation: Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology Group, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Freiburg, Freiburg D-79106, Germany.
authors.forename: Alexandra-Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, 130 Mulford Hall, Berkeley, California 94720-3114, USA.
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kremen
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, 130 Mulford Hall, Berkeley, California 94720-3114, USA.
authors.forename: Leithen K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: M'Gonigle
authors.affiliation: School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales 2350, Australia.
authors.forename: Romina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rader
authors.affiliation: Gund Institute for Ecological Economics, University of Vermont, 617 Main Street, Burlington, Vermont 05405, USA.
authors.forename: Taylor H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Ricketts
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, USA.
authors.forename: Neal M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lee Adamson
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore.
authors.forename: John S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Ascher
authors.affiliation: Institute of Ecology and Botany, MTA Centre for Ecological Research, Alkotmány u. 2-4, Vácrátót 2163, Hungary.
authors.forename: András
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Báldi
authors.affiliation: Agroecology Group, Department of Crop Sciences, Georg-August-University, Grisebachstr. 6, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Péter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Batáry
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources, Rutgers University, 14 College Farm Road, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901, USA.
authors.forename: Faye
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Benjamin
authors.affiliation: Department of Terrestrial Zoology, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, PO Box 9517, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jacobus C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Biesmeijer
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.
authors.forename: Eleanor J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Blitzer
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala 75007, Sweden.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bommarco
authors.affiliation: South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Private Bag X7, Claremont 7735, South Africa.|Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa.|Iziko South African Museum, 25 Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town 8000, South Africa.
authors.forename: Mariëtte R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Brand
authors.affiliation: Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR 7372, CNRS and Université La Rochelle, F-79360 Beauvoir-sur-Niort, France.
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bretagnolle
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University,8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada V5A 1S6.
authors.forename: Lindsey
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Button
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources, Rutgers University, 14 College Farm Road, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Cariveau
authors.affiliation: Plateforme Régionale d'Innovation "Agriculture Biologique et Périurbaine Durable", EPLEFPA du Lycée Nature, Allée des Druides, 85000 La Roche-sur-Yon, France.
authors.forename: Rémy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chifflet
authors.affiliation: South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Private Bag X7, Claremont 7735, South Africa.
authors.forename: Jonathan F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Colville
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.
authors.forename: Bryan N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Danforth
authors.affiliation: Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR 7372, CNRS and Université La Rochelle, F-79360 Beauvoir-sur-Niort, France.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Elle
authors.affiliation: Centre for Agri-Environmental Research, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AR, UK.
authors.forename: Michael P D
authors.initials: MPD
authors.lastname: Garratt
authors.affiliation: Agricultural Landscapes and Biodiversity, Agroscope, Reckenholzstr. 191, CH-8046 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Felix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Herzog
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Holzschuh
authors.affiliation: Sustainable Production, The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Private Bag 4704, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Brad G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Howlett
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Ecology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, D-35392 Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jauker
authors.affiliation: Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, 401 Biological Laboratories, Austin, Texas 78712, USA.
authors.forename: Shalene
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jha
authors.affiliation: Community Ecology Group, University of Bern, Baltzerstr. 6, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Knop
authors.affiliation: Agroecology Group, Department of Crop Sciences, Georg-August-University, Grisebachstr. 6, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Kristin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Krewenka
authors.affiliation: UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, INRA, CS 40509, F-84914 Avignon, France.
authors.forename: Violette
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Le Féon
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, PO Box 12, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
authors.forename: Yael
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mandelik
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, 578 Wilson Road, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA.
authors.forename: Emily A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: May
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.
authors.forename: Mia G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, PO Box 12, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
authors.forename: Gideon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pisanty
authors.affiliation: EIS Kenniscentrum Insecten, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, PO Box 9517, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Menno
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reemer
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Verena
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Riedinger
authors.affiliation: UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, INRA, CS 40509, F-84914 Avignon, France.|UMT Protection des Abeilles dans l'Environnement, INRA, CS 40509, F-84914 Avignon, France.|ITSAP - Institut de l'abeille, 149 rue de Bercy, F-75012 Paris, France.
authors.forename: Orianne
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Rollin
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Lund University, S-223 62 Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Maj
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rundlöf
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, 130 Mulford Hall, Berkeley, California 94720-3114, USA.
authors.forename: Hillary S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Sardiñas
authors.affiliation: Animal Ecology Team, Center for Ecosystem Studies, Alterra, Wageningen UR, PO Box 47, 6700AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jeroen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Scheper
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, 130 Mulford Hall, Berkeley, California 94720-3114, USA.
authors.forename: Amber R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Sciligo
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Lund University, S-223 62 Lund, Sweden.|Centre of Environmental and Climate Research, Lund University, S-223 62 Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Henrik G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Ingolf
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Steffan-Dewenter
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, USA.
authors.forename: Robbin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Thorp
authors.affiliation: Agroecology Group, Department of Crop Sciences, Georg-August-University, Grisebachstr. 6, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Teja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tscharntke
authors.forename: Jort
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Verhulst
authors.affiliation: Biology Institute, Federal University of Bahia, Rua Barão de Jeremoabo, s/n, Campus Universitário de Ondina, Salvador, Bahia 40170-290, Brazil.
authors.forename: Blandina F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Viana
authors.affiliation: UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, INRA, CS 40509, F-84914 Avignon, France.|UMT Protection des Abeilles dans l'Environnement, INRA, CS 40509, F-84914 Avignon, France.
authors.forename: Bernard E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Vaissière
authors.affiliation: South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Private Bag X7, Claremont 7735, South Africa.|Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa.
authors.forename: Ruan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Veldtman
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, USA.
authors.forename: Kimiora L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.affiliation: Agroecology Group, Department of Crop Sciences, Georg-August-University, Grisebachstr. 6, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Catrin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Westphal
authors.affiliation: Centre for Agri-Environmental Research, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AR, UK.
authors.forename: Simon G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Potts
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001516:Bees; D044822:Biodiversity; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000191:economics; D054817:Pollination