A new scientific study shows that flowers have, over the past 75 years, slowly changed their ultraviolet (UV) pigments to adjust to declining ozone levels and rising global temperatures. Some of these flower pigments may be invisible to the naked human eye, but they attract pollinators and act as sunblock for the plants. Just as UV rays can damage our skin, UV radiation can hurt a flower’s pollen.
Researchers have discovered on average, pigment in most flowers across the world has increased 2% over time. Changes in pigment depends also on the shape of flowers. Flowers already equipped with a layer of protection (i.e. their pollen was already concealed within the petals) decreased pigment levels as global temperatures rose. When these flowers are exposed to higher temperatures, their pollen is in danger of being "cooked" inside.
Pollinators, like hummingbirds and bees, prefer an easy “bull’s-eye” pattern near the center of the flower. The danger for pollinators is that dialing up the pigment in flowers may make distinguishing flowers more difficult for them, resulting in fewer pollinated plants.
