Air Pollution Prevents Pollinators from Finding Flowers

We've been aware that lights from skyscrapers can disorient birds and loud sounds underwater can deafen whales, but it's only been recently that scientists have discovered that air pollution is changing how flowers smell. These altered scents have made it difficult for pollinators to find their traditional nectar sources. Although the effects of light and noise pollution are better understood, the consequences of scent pollution on creatures that depend upon their sense of smell to make sense of their environment is just beginning to be explored. However, results from initial studies suggest that the impact of scent pollution could have significant impacts on the fruits and vegetables we eat that depend on pollinators. More details about this ongoing research can be found here.