The Pollinators of Tampa Bay
by Haley Carrington
Bees and bats and birds, oh my! Pollinators are not only entertaining to observe, but they are vital to food production and ecosystem biodiversity. In Tampa Bay, visitors will find numerous species of bees, bats, and birds that drive the process of pollination.
Pollination is the transfer of pollen from one plant to another. For plants, the marriage of pollen grains is essential for reproduction. If not for pollinators, the environment would be completely thrown off balance. Roughly 75% of Florida's crops rely on pollinators to help them flourish. Pollinators are responsible for fertilizing mangoes, agave, citrus, bananas, avocados, almonds, and so much more. Approximately 1,000 species of plants need to be pollinated in order to produce products for consumption!
Bees on a sunflower in North Central Florida. Photo taken by Haley Carrington.
What organisms are pollinators? Honeybees pollinate around 80% of all flowering plants, making them one of the most important species to monitor. In a single year, one honeybee colony can collect up to 40 pounds of pollen. In addition to pollinating flowers, they produce honey and beeswax. Due to their hard work, honeybees keep the 8-billion-dollar honey industry afloat. Unfortunately, honeybees are impacted by climate change, pesticides, disease, and habitat loss. Habitat loss is the number one cause of honeybee population decline.
Birds are also exceptional pollinators. Birds are the main pollinators of wildflowers, and they also heavily influence the seed dispersal of many non-native species in the Southeastern US. In the Bay, the black-chinned hummingbird can be spotted zipping around to indulge in its favorite flowers.
Bats are another successful pollinator. This mysterious mammal soars through the night, relying on echolocation and scent to direct it. 5 out of the 13 species of bats in Florida live around Tampa Bay. Why does Florida have so many bats? Bodies of water are very enticing to bats because they house many insect species. When bats feed on plant nectar, they also collect pollen and may visit up to 30 different flowering plants a day! Lightly colored, funky-smelling flowers are most likely to attract bats.
The pollinators of Tampa Bay include an array of exceptional organisms. Honeybees, birds, and bats are necessary for food production, ecosystem health, and the overall biodiversity of Tampa Bay. Pollinators provide us with many services, so how can we give back? Humans can support pollinator populations by limiting pesticide use, enhancing their gardens with flowers, and reducing pollutants. Tampa Bay’s pollinators consist of small but mighty organisms that benefit both humans and the planet.
