The pollen-producing structures of gymnosperms are locked away in cones and generally not accessible to insects. what mechanism might they use for pollination?

Wind

Explanation:

Gymnosperms can be described as plants which lack flowers and fruits.

As they do not have flowers to attract insects like the angiosperms, they can, however, transfer their pollen through the wind. As pollen is very light in weight hence, it can be transported by the wind. The pollen transported by the wind usually results in self-pollination as the wind is not able to take the pollen to long distances.

The mechanism they use is cross pollination

Explanation:

Pollination can be known as transfer of the pollen from anther to the stigma. It can be from the one flower or different flower also. In gymnosperms, pollination occur from the cone of male to the female.

Cross Pollination: The pollen transfers from the flower anther of individual flower to the part of flower which is called stigma part of any another flower on a different individual of the common species.  

genetic variation will increase because of a new habitat and food source.

explanation: