Roadside vegetation maintains pollination ecosystem services in the surrounding agricultural areas of a Neotropical savana

Abstract

Linear habitats, such as roadsides, are increasingly recognized as potential refuges for pollinator diversity and the ecosystem services they provide. Understanding the role of these habitats is essential for their effective management, contributing to biodiversity conservation and the resilience of agricultural systems. Here, we assessed the potential of roadside vegetation in a biodiverse savanna in Brazil to sustain pollination services for adjacent agricultural areas. We analyzed tree and shrub diversity from preserved savanna areas and roadsides in the Brazilian Cerrado, integrating pollination system data obtained through an extensive literature review. Our results show that all pollination systems associated with woody plants in protected areas were similarly present in roadside vegetation, except hummingbird, butterfly, and bee pollination, which were slightly less represented on roadsides. However, the decrease in bee pollination on roadsides amounted to only 7 %. Additionally, we identified 24 native plant species along roadsides that are pollinated by key bee species responsible for pollinating major crops in the region, including coffee, soybean, and tomato. Our findings underscore the potential of roadsides to support both pollinator conservation and agricultural productivity, which is particularly relevant given the growing demand for pollination services in Brazil and worldwide. To maximize these benefits, it is crucial to strengthen environmental policies, maintain adequate roadside width, and identify restoration hotspots and target species with special benefits for pollinators and ecosystem services.