News from the Australian Seed Bank Partnership: Restoration of native wildflower patches in agronomic settings for diverse and healthy pollinator populations

Globally, about 88% of angiosperms rely on animal pollinators to set seed and reproduce (Ollerton 'et al.' 2011). Pollination is therefore a critical ecosystem service, underpinning plant reproductive success and, for crop species, associated yields. Many horticultural crops, including the economically and locally important apple industries, are reliant on insect pollination (Rogers 'et al.' 2014). Yet while there is a wide range of native pollinating insects (including wasps, bees, flies, butterflies, hoverflies and ants;) most agronomic systems focus heavily on a single pollinator - the European Honeybee ('Apis mellifera'). Honeybee hives are typically brought onto farms for specific crop flowering periods, a practice that has not only high financial costs to farmers, but a high risk associated with dependence on a single pollinator, especially in the context of disease threats (notably Varroa Mite) to this species. Moreover, many fruit crops get added benefits from pollination by wild pollinators, even when Honeybees are abundant (Garibaldi 'et al.' 2013). Hence it is vital to support resident pollinator populations in cropping landscapes.