Pollinators are essential to agriculture and the environment . About 80 % of plants are pollinated by animals ( biotic pollination ) and 20 % are pollinated by wind or water ( abiotic pollination ). There are about 200,000 species of animals that pollinate , most of which are insects . Of those , only about 1,000 are vertebrates such as birds , bats , and small mammals . For abiotic pollination , 98 % is due to wind and 2 % is from water .

What is Pollination ? Pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from the male anthers of flowers to the female pistils of flowers . This allows for fertilization which allows the flowers to produce seeds .

Pollinator Conservation : There is a concern that we are losing pollinators due to habitat loss , disease , parasites , and environmental contaminants . Farmers help by planting cover crops , wildflowers , and native grasses in areas not in production . By building hedgerows , windbreaks , and providing a variety of flowering plants , farmers are attracting the native pollinators needed to grow their crops .

Activity : Below each photo on this page , write the pollinator ' s name and then list two facts about them .

Pollinator : ________________ 1 . _______________________ 2 . _______________________

Pollinator : ________________ 1 . _______________________ 2 . _______________________

Connecting Colorado educators and students to their food , fiber , fuel , and natural resources .