Article

The assessment of endangered plant species is commonly performed by evaluating, among other things, the decrease in the quality and quantity of pollination services under global change parameters. This allows inferences to be made about declining pollination success, reduced genetic diversity and the low recruitment performances of descendants. Although most case studies on the pollination ecology of threatened Mediterranean species show no clear evidence of pollinator decline, negative consequences are commonly expected. In this article we review data from our own research and the literature in order to survey experimental approaches to assessing the true threat posed by pollination deficit. We report on documented cases of endangered plants – mainly from the W. Mediterranean - with limited pollination. Current conservation efforts are also outlined and further lines of research proposed.