Lovely piece, and fascinating research. It's a bit chilling to see that the pansies are managing to reproduce but in the process of dong without insects, are making themselves inhospitable to them so that it'll become a vicious cycle. "Selfing" is such a telling word - can't help thinking it reflects the current state of humans--more alone, less in-person community. In any case, it's good to draw attention to the importance of insects in our world. Thank you.
Oh, MAN, your photo of the bumblebee is beyond gorgeous, with both hind end and a wing in focus. I'm eagerly awaiting spring and the first blooms of Viola pedatifida that I planted fall before last. And yeah, my heart is breaking over the shrinking of flowers. It is so very odd to live at this precise moment of time, with maximum access to the diversity of nature and maximum exposure to its loss.
Oh, and Prum! His book The Evolution of Beauty is my favorite book ever, truly, my very favorite, and he's your pal. Wow.
Fascinatig !!! So, evolution can be done in a very short time, not necessairelt 1000 years or more. C'esr remarquable. Je fais suivre ce magnifique texte au forum Images-et-mots qui regroupe des personnes très intéressées par la nature, surtout en France. Bravo Bryan ! / Michel Bertrand, from Québec.
Perfect in every way, from the clever title to the stunning photos. Pfeiffer's clear and witty description of the relationship between pollinators and flowers reads like a novel. Chasing Nature is a reliable source of beauty and food for thought! Thanks, Bryan.
Beautiful. I really enjoyed this piece. I’ve been thinking a lot about how important it is for writers to do the hard work of translating science-speak into compelling narrative so this kind of information does not just fade away. You’ve done that here; it’s appreciated. Also been thinking a lot about the loss of “ways of interacting” -- aka cultural knowledge -- when we drive species toward extinction. If we keep this up, will the pansy and the bee (as species) someday “forget” that they were once partners?
Nature is sexy and rough as it meets the needs of the day. We are in a time of change. Compassion and appreciation of the other should rule. We can choose. Your writing makes for easy to understand yet it challenges the reader. Thank you.
Thanks for writing about this. Probably, the biggest problem with "selfing" is lack of genetic diversity and opportunity for mutations. But then, it also just seems lonely, staying home taking care of oneself, instead of going out in your prettiest outfit, and boogying with bugs for fun.
You're so right. We can't seem to get out of our own way. Such a funny idea that we are too stupid as a species to be in an an apex position. That needs some thought!
This interaction right here is the reason behind my conservation efforts at the Runamuk Acres Conservation Farm here in Maine!!!
I began beekeeping in 2010 to increase pollination for my market-garden. Once I brought home that first colony, I became fascinated with the interaction between plants and their insect pollinators. Obsessed really.
A decade of study, community service as the President of the Somerset County Beekeepers’ Association, teaching bee-schools and more, led me even further down the rabbit hole. I still keep bees, still entranced by that flower-pollinator relationship, and my conservation efforts focus on--not just pollinators and beneficial insects, but also soil-dwellinh invertebrates, microbial life and fungi. All these keystone species that enable plant-life to really thrive and flourish.
These relationships are crucial to any habitat and by promoting their well-being, we can promote the health and well-being of the entire habitat.
I'm so thrilled you've taken the time to notice, appreciate and write about these important creatures!
So fascinating! I especially love hearing about how flowers are adapting so quickly to these changes (although I am not happy about the changes and need to adapt or how for that matter!). We don’t usually think about plants evolving that fast, so stories like this remind us of their importance in the ecosystem and the deep ways they reflect and shape our natural world. And a good reminder that we need to appreciate the insects more!
Insects may be on the decline, but I have heard that hummingbirds are responsible for the beauty and variety of tropical flowers which evolved in tandem. In order to compete for hummingbird attention (and incidental to the hummingbird, plant reproduction) plants produced ever more showy and various flowers. And, oh my, the beauty of tropical hummingbirds! The Purple Fairy!
So if course we need insects, but wouldn’t cha know the birds will save us?
For writing in a way that is not pedantic but is interesting, erudite, sensitive, and engaging.
For caring about much that is 'small', 'common', and oft-ignored.
For writing 'introduced species' instead of 'invasive species'. That last bit is one of my pet peeves about the world of conservation and something I've started writing about for my next piece.
Nice essay Bryan but before we despair too much about the loss of insects and the beautiful flowers they pollinate, as you and Carl both point out, this study was on just one species and other plants like the morning glory might evolve differently in response to the decline in certain insect populations. Plus good insect pollinators, such as flower flies, may take up the slack due to the decline of more sensitive species like bees. There's evidence that these flower flies are not declining as much as bees and they certainly are abundant in my garden! Nature is often more resilient than we give it credit for!
Lovely piece, and fascinating research. It's a bit chilling to see that the pansies are managing to reproduce but in the process of dong without insects, are making themselves inhospitable to them so that it'll become a vicious cycle. "Selfing" is such a telling word - can't help thinking it reflects the current state of humans--more alone, less in-person community. In any case, it's good to draw attention to the importance of insects in our world. Thank you.
Oh, MAN, your photo of the bumblebee is beyond gorgeous, with both hind end and a wing in focus. I'm eagerly awaiting spring and the first blooms of Viola pedatifida that I planted fall before last. And yeah, my heart is breaking over the shrinking of flowers. It is so very odd to live at this precise moment of time, with maximum access to the diversity of nature and maximum exposure to its loss.
Oh, and Prum! His book The Evolution of Beauty is my favorite book ever, truly, my very favorite, and he's your pal. Wow.
Fascinatig !!! So, evolution can be done in a very short time, not necessairelt 1000 years or more. C'esr remarquable. Je fais suivre ce magnifique texte au forum Images-et-mots qui regroupe des personnes très intéressées par la nature, surtout en France. Bravo Bryan ! / Michel Bertrand, from Québec.
Perfect in every way, from the clever title to the stunning photos. Pfeiffer's clear and witty description of the relationship between pollinators and flowers reads like a novel. Chasing Nature is a reliable source of beauty and food for thought! Thanks, Bryan.
Beautiful. I really enjoyed this piece. I’ve been thinking a lot about how important it is for writers to do the hard work of translating science-speak into compelling narrative so this kind of information does not just fade away. You’ve done that here; it’s appreciated. Also been thinking a lot about the loss of “ways of interacting” -- aka cultural knowledge -- when we drive species toward extinction. If we keep this up, will the pansy and the bee (as species) someday “forget” that they were once partners?
Nature is sexy and rough as it meets the needs of the day. We are in a time of change. Compassion and appreciation of the other should rule. We can choose. Your writing makes for easy to understand yet it challenges the reader. Thank you.
Bryan,
Thanks for writing about this. Probably, the biggest problem with "selfing" is lack of genetic diversity and opportunity for mutations. But then, it also just seems lonely, staying home taking care of oneself, instead of going out in your prettiest outfit, and boogying with bugs for fun.
You're so right. We can't seem to get out of our own way. Such a funny idea that we are too stupid as a species to be in an an apex position. That needs some thought!
Again and again you offer us common sense and magic, science and lore dancing in the same celebrations. What a treat to sit in your classroom.
O.M.G. @Bryan Pfeiffer THIS
This interaction right here is the reason behind my conservation efforts at the Runamuk Acres Conservation Farm here in Maine!!!
I began beekeeping in 2010 to increase pollination for my market-garden. Once I brought home that first colony, I became fascinated with the interaction between plants and their insect pollinators. Obsessed really.
A decade of study, community service as the President of the Somerset County Beekeepers’ Association, teaching bee-schools and more, led me even further down the rabbit hole. I still keep bees, still entranced by that flower-pollinator relationship, and my conservation efforts focus on--not just pollinators and beneficial insects, but also soil-dwellinh invertebrates, microbial life and fungi. All these keystone species that enable plant-life to really thrive and flourish.
These relationships are crucial to any habitat and by promoting their well-being, we can promote the health and well-being of the entire habitat.
I'm so thrilled you've taken the time to notice, appreciate and write about these important creatures!
So fascinating! I especially love hearing about how flowers are adapting so quickly to these changes (although I am not happy about the changes and need to adapt or how for that matter!). We don’t usually think about plants evolving that fast, so stories like this remind us of their importance in the ecosystem and the deep ways they reflect and shape our natural world. And a good reminder that we need to appreciate the insects more!
Insects may be on the decline, but I have heard that hummingbirds are responsible for the beauty and variety of tropical flowers which evolved in tandem. In order to compete for hummingbird attention (and incidental to the hummingbird, plant reproduction) plants produced ever more showy and various flowers. And, oh my, the beauty of tropical hummingbirds! The Purple Fairy!
So if course we need insects, but wouldn’t cha know the birds will save us?
Many thank-yous, Bryan 🙏🏽
For writing in a way that is not pedantic but is interesting, erudite, sensitive, and engaging.
For caring about much that is 'small', 'common', and oft-ignored.
For writing 'introduced species' instead of 'invasive species'. That last bit is one of my pet peeves about the world of conservation and something I've started writing about for my next piece.
Nice essay Bryan but before we despair too much about the loss of insects and the beautiful flowers they pollinate, as you and Carl both point out, this study was on just one species and other plants like the morning glory might evolve differently in response to the decline in certain insect populations. Plus good insect pollinators, such as flower flies, may take up the slack due to the decline of more sensitive species like bees. There's evidence that these flower flies are not declining as much as bees and they certainly are abundant in my garden! Nature is often more resilient than we give it credit for!