Pollen is a strong indicator of ecosystem health (IMAGE)
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“Pollen is a strong indicator of ecosystem health,” said Behnaz Balmaki, assistant professor of research in biology at UT Arlington. “Shifts in pollen composition can signal changes in vegetation, moisture levels and even past fire activity. Farmers could use this information to track long-term environmental trends that affect crop viability, soil conditions or regional climate patterns. It’s also useful for wildlife and pollinator conservation. Many animals, including insects like bees and butterflies, rely on specific plants for food and habitat. By identifying which plant species are present or declining in an area, we can better understand how these changes impact the entire food web and take steps to protect critical relationships between plants and pollinators.”
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