Pollinators and Pollination - (Pelagic Monographs) by Jeff Ollerton (Paperback)

About the Book

The pollination of flowers by insects, birds and other animals is a crucial interaction that supports both the natural world and human society. This book offers a unique insight into the ecology and evolution of pollinators.

Book Synopsis

'Fascinating, entertaining, and thought-provoking.' - Professor Dave Goulson, author of A Sting in the Tale, Bee Quest, A Buzz in the Meadow and The Garden Jungle

A unique and personal insight into the ecology and evolution of pollinators, their relationships with flowers, and their conservation in a rapidly changing world.

The pollination of flowers by insects, birds and other animals is a fundamentally important ecological function that supports both the natural world and human society. Without pollinators to facilitate the sexual reproduction of plants, the world would be a biologically poorer place in which to live, there would be an impact on food security, and human health would suffer.

Written by one of the world's leading pollination ecologists, this book provides an introduction to what pollinators are, how their interactions with flowers have evolved, and the fundamental ecology of these relationships. It explores the pollination of wild and agricultural plants in a variety of habitats and contexts, including urban, rural and agricultural environments. The author also provides practical advice on how individuals and organisations can study, and support, pollinators.

As well as covering the natural history of pollinators and flowers, the author discusses their cultural importance, and the ways in which pollinator conservation has been portrayed from a political perspective. The book draws on field work experiences in South America, Africa, Australia, the Canary Islands and the UK.

For over 30 years the author has spent his career researching how plants and pollinators evolve relationships, how these interactions function ecologically, their importance for society, and how we can conserve them in a rapidly changing world. This book offers a unique and personal insight into the science of pollinators and pollination, aimed at anyone who is interested in understanding these fascinating and crucial ecological interactions.

Review Quotes

Accessible and informative... Comprehensive and in-depth enough to be of interest to someone like me with a little academic experience, and at the same time concise enough to cover the key discussions without being a massive quarto textbook.--Ben Courtice, As The River Goes By

Entertaining, pleasant to read and presented in an attractive pocketbook format keeping everything short and concise. It supplies appealingly prepared, interesting scientific information and attractive pictures of pollinators... A very timely book.--Anne-Christine Mupepele "Basic and Applied Ecology"

Fascinating, entertaining, and thought-provoking. A highly readable mix of science, personal observation and anecdote, this is my favourite book of the many published on pollinators and pollination in recent years.--Professor Dave Goulson, author of A Sting in the Tale, Bee Quest, A Buzz in the Meadow and The Garden Jungle

Few pollination biologists have played a more pivotal role in the expansion of the pollination tent than Jeff Ollerton... Pollinators and Pollination is unique in providing a thorough overview of some of the most important (and rapidly changing) themes in pollination biology, while showcasing the author's zest for engagement with his students, colleagues, and fellow citizens.--Robert A. Raguso "Current Biology"

For a young scientist like me who is interested in pollination biology, it is vitally important to build up expert knowledge from the basics. Pollinators & Pollination by Jeff Ollerton is the perfect primer for this.--Zsófia Varga-Szilay "Community Ecology"

It's aimed at the serious reader and covers the latest research, but is never inaccessible and has something for everyone. It's extremely up-to-date and even delves into such areas as the politics of pollination, as well as assessing opportunities for citizen science to which every gardener can contribute. I thoroughly recommend this book.--Marc Carlton "Wildlife Gardening Forum Newsletter"

Most of his 30-years' research is poured into this major work and it has plenty of graphs as an evidence base for his ideas and theories. This is not just about bees and pollination - though it may seem that way as Apis mellifera is a major pollinator - it is about all pollinators, birds, reptiles, mammals and invertebrates.-- "Wildlife Matters"

Ollerton combines a thorough synopsis of pollinators and pollination with an engaging narrative voice to appeal to junior and senior scientists as well as the general public.-- "The Journal of Wildlife Management"

Perfect as a comprehensive introduction to the topic, from one of the UK's most highly respected experts on pollinators and pollination, Jeff Ollerton. I recommend it to anyone looking for a primer in this topic and an enjoyable read.--Stephen Venn "Palaearctic Grasslands, Journal of the Eurasian Dry Grassland Group"

SUPERB. It contains everything I've spent the last 10 years trying to grasp, all in one book, AND written in a way I can understand! It makes such a difference to a non-scientist (like me) to be able to grasp the facts, and the science behind the facts, without having to first look up dozens of terms I don't understand.--Brigit Strawbridge Howard, author of Dancing with Bees: A Journey Back to Nature

This is a highly readable text on pollination ecology, very useful for students and anyone who needs to get up to speed on this topic and its surrounding issues... Written in a personal and engaging style and with many clear diagrams and illustrations - this excellent text provides much useful insight.-- "Bees for Development Journal"

Very timely, jargon free and an easy read...Chapters discuss(ing) managing, restoring, and connecting habitats and the politics of pollination are both highly informative and useful.--John Badmin "British Journal of Entomology and Natural History"

About the Author

As a scientist and educator for over 30 years, Jeff Ollerton has developed an international profile in the field of biodiversity, focused particularly on understanding and conserving plant-pollinator interactions. His highly-cited, ground-breaking research has been used by national and international agencies to support efforts to conserve pollinators and their pollination services.