Pollination and pest control in urban agriculture: a systematic review of the species associated with beneficial services

Abstract

Green infrastructure in urban areas provides multiple functions and benefits, such as biodiversity conservation and food production through urban agriculture (UA). Thus, UA has the potential to enhance biodiversity and maintain Ecosystem Services (ES) in urban landscapes, particularly through animal-mediated interactions such as pollination and biological control. In this study, we conducted a systematic review to characterize the diversity of beneficial animals and the crops dependent on biotic pollination associated with urban agriculture. Additionally, we propose a standardization of the terms used to designate spaces occupied by UA. We identified 11 types of spaces occupied by UA, which can be classified into three main types of production: food, ornamental, and multiple productions, with food production being the most frequent. A total of 623 animal species, all arthropods, divided into 56 families, were recorded in association with UA spaces. Among these, three bee families directly related to pollination (Halictidae, Apidae, Andrenidae), and the ladybugs (Coccinelidae) associated with biological control were the most frequently recorded, in terms of species richness. In total, 106 crop varieties were documented, of which 27% are known to dependent on biotic pollination, underscoring its importance in urban agriculture. In summary, despite the limited number of studies, there is a considerable richness of species contributing to relevant ecosystem services. However, the role of important group of animals, such as birds and bats, remains untested. These findings, along with the research gaps we found provide a solid foundation for future investigations into the association between UA and biodiversity.