Researchers, working on the scents of flowers, are finding that pollution is dramatically cutting the distance travelled by the scent of flowers. It has been found that gases, mainly found in motor vehicle emissions, prevent flowers from attracting bees and other insects and, therefore, affect pollination.

According to a study done at the University of Virginia, 'scent molecules produced by flowers in a less polluted environment could travel for roughly 1000-1200 metres, but today they may travel only 200 to 300 metres which makes it increasingly difficult for bees and other insects to locate the flowers'.

The researchers who worked on the scent given off by snapdragons found that the molecules are volatile and quickly bond with pollutants mainly formed from vehicular emissions. The pollutants from the vehicles alter the molecules so that they no longer smell like flowers; insects struggle to get enough food and the plants do not get pollinated enough to multiply.

Struggling honey bees

It is interesting to note that it is not only mankind that is going through food crisis but also insects such as bees. The bees pollinate most of the world's crops and this is now in decline. It is noted that a quarter of the United States of America's 2.5 million honey bee colonies have been mysteriously wiped out by 'colony collapse disorder' - the hives are suddenly deserted. This has spread to Europe and it has been noted that the honey bee population could be wiped out in 10 years.

It has been suggested by some scientists that mobile telephones and other hi-tech gadgets could be detrimental to bee colonies. The theory is that radiation from mobile telephones interferes with the bees' navigation system preventing them from finding their hives. 'Colony collapse disorder' occurs when the worker bees disappear leaving only queens, eggs and a few immature workers.

The vanished bees are never found but thought to die out far from their hives. This situation is spreading across the globe. Limited studies have found that bees do not return to their hives when mobile telephones are placed near to them as they lose their sense of direction.

Pollination is important

Most of our world crops depend on pollination by bees. If there is no pollination then there is alienation of mankind. German research has long shown that the behaviour of bees changes when they are placed near to power lines. The challenge is that we need to protect our environment so as not to lose our plant species. We need to protect our land spaces especially the rainforest areas of our islands.

Chemicals are being sprayed from helicopters to eliminate ganja fields and there are also other areas going up in smoke to meet the needs of commercial living. The result will be food shortages and malnutrition. There will be no more benefits derived from our plants.

We have our rainforest areas in Jamaica, and it is important for us to support the land and its resources; we should return to basic methods of natural fertilisation that do not damage soil content; we should leave out chemical fertilisers.

Dr Diane Robertson is a pharmacist and recipient of an honorary doctorate in complementary medicine for her work in herbs; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.