We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Effects of Atmospheric Pollutants on Volatile‐Mediated Insect Ecosystem Services
Summary
This review examined how primary and secondary atmospheric pollutants—including particulate matter, NOx, ozone, and micro/nanoplastics—disrupt volatile organic compound-mediated insect ecosystem services such as pollination, predator-prey interactions, and plant defense signaling.
Primary and secondary atmospheric pollutants, including carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), ozone (O3), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter (PM2.5/PM10) with associated heavy metals (HMs) and micro- and nanoplastics (MPs/NPs), have the potential to influence and alter interspecific interactions involving insects that are responsible for providing essential ecosystem services (ESs). Given that insects rely on olfactory cues for vital processes such as locating mates, food sources and oviposition sites, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are of paramount importance in interactions involving insects. While gaseous pollutants reduce the lifespan of individual compounds that act as olfactory cues, gaseous and particulate pollutants can alter their biosynthesis and emission and exert a direct effect on the olfactory system of insects. Consequently, air pollutants can affect ecosystem functioning and the services regulated by plant-insect interactions. This review examines the already identified and potential impacts of air pollutants on different aspects of VOC-mediated plant-insect interactions underlying a range of insect ES. Furthermore, we investigate the potential susceptibility of insects to future environmental changes and the adaptive mechanisms they may employ to efficiently detect odours. The current body of knowledge on the effects of air pollutants on key interspecific interactions is biased towards and limited to a few pollinators, herbivores and parasitoids on model plants. There is a notable absence of research on decomposers and seed dispersers. With exception of O3 and NOx, the effects of some widespread and emerging environmental pollutants, such as secondary organic aerosols (SOAs), SO2, HMs, PM and MPs/NPs, remain largely unexplored. It is recommended that the identified knowledge gaps be addressed in future research, with the aim of designing effective mitigation strategies for the adverse effects in question and developing robust conservation frameworks.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Rethinking the Connections between Ecosystem Services, Pollinators, Pollution, and Health: Focus on Air Pollution and Its Impacts
This review examined the interconnections between ecosystem services, pollinators, air pollution, and human health, highlighting how airborne particulate matter disrupts pollination and other regulation services essential for environmental and human well-being.
Interactions between microplastics and insects in terrestrial ecosystems—A systematic review and meta-analysis
This meta-analysis with phylogenetic control found that microplastic exposure impairs key biological traits of insects, primarily behavior and reproduction, with effects varying by polymer type and particle size. Field evidence confirmed that insects ingest and transfer microplastics along food chains, and also contribute to bio-fragmentation of larger plastic debris into smaller particles.
Interactions of insects with micro- and nanoplastics: A review
This comprehensive review of 114 studies found that micro- and nanoplastics accumulate in both terrestrial and aquatic insects, causing reduced growth, impaired reproduction, oxidative stress, and gut microbiome disruption. Since insects are foundational to food webs and pollination, plastic contamination in insect populations could cascade through ecosystems and ultimately affect human food systems.
Effects of traffic-derived airborne particulate matter on social Hymenoptera
This review examined how traffic-derived airborne particulate matter—including tire wear particles, brake dust, and microplastics—affects social Hymenoptera such as bees and ants, contributing to the broader picture of how urban pollution drives insect biodiversity decline.
Exposure Pathways and Toxicity of Microplastics in Terrestrial Insects
This review summarizes what is known about how land-dwelling insects encounter, consume, and are affected by plastic pollution. Insects can accumulate microplastics and transfer them to animals higher up the food chain, and exposure has been linked to reduced growth, reproduction, and survival. Since insects play critical roles in pollination and soil health, widespread plastic contamination could have cascading effects on ecosystems and agriculture.