A Review of Factors Affecting Insect Pollinators and Pollination in Mangrove Ecosystems
1 Institute for Marine and Riverine Ecologies and Economies, University of Guyana, Berbice Campus, John’s Science Centre, Corentyne, Berbice, Guyana, South America.
2 Centre for the Study of Biodiversity, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus, Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara, Guyana, South America.
3 Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Guyana, Berbice Campus, Tain, Corentyne, Berbice, Guyana, South America.
Review
World Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences, 2025, 08(02), 061-091.
Article DOI: 10.53346/wjapls.2025.8.2.0031
Publication history:
Received on 05 September 2025; revised on 16 October 2025; accepted on 18 October 2025
Abstract:
Mangrove ecosystems are coastal habitats that provide essential ecological services and functions, including shoreline stabilization, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity maintenance. Insect pollinators such as bees, beetles, butterflies, and flies play a pivotal role in the reproductive success of mangrove flora by facilitating pollination. However, various abiotic and biotic factors, ranging from temperature and precipitation to habitat fragmentation and pollution, significantly influence the abundance, diversity, and efficiency of these pollinators. This review synthesizes recent literature (2020-2025) and foundational studies to examine the environmental, ecological, and anthropogenic drivers affecting insect pollinators in mangrove ecosystems. It emphasizes how phenological mismatches between flowering events and pollinator activity, driven by climate variability and human-induced disturbances, can undermine pollination success and reduce genetic diversity. Using a systematic thematic approach, 104 peer-reviewed journal articles were selected from an initial pool of 170, sourced through platforms such as Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science. The review reveals persistent knowledge gaps, particularly in under-researched regions such as the Caribbean and South America, including Guyana. Given the mounting pressures from sea-level rise and coastal development, Guyana’s relatively undisturbed mangrove zones offer a critical opportunity for studying insect pollinator dynamics. The findings underscore the need for baseline biodiversity assessments, long-term ecological monitoring, and community-based conservation efforts. Addressing these gaps will enhance our understanding of mangrove pollination ecology and inform strategies to safeguard ecosystem resilience and biodiversity in the face of environmental change.
Keywords:
Mangrove Ecosystems; Insect Pollinators; Flowering Phenology; Climate Variability; Biodiversity
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Copyright © 2025 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0