scholarly journals Many species, including locally rare species, are important for function of mutualist networks

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dylan Simpson ◽  
Lucia Weinman ◽  
Mark Genung ◽  
Michael Roswell ◽  
Molly MacLeod ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Ecosystem Function ◽  
Rare Species ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Single Plant ◽  
Pollinator Species ◽  
Plant Pollinator ◽  
Entire Network ◽  
Number Of Plant Species

Many ecosystem functions result from mutualisms, yet mutualism-based functions have rarely been studied at the scale of whole mutualist networks. Thus, it is unclear how much biodiversity is needed to provide function to an entire network of partner species. Here we use 23 plant-pollinator networks to ask how the number of functionally important pollinator species depends on the number of plant species studied. We found that, because of complementarity among pollinators in the plants they pollinate, 3-13 times as many pollinator species were needed to pollinate an entire network as compared with a single plant species. Furthermore, many pollinator species that were rare within the network as a whole, and therefore not important pollinators on average, were important to the pollination of particular plant species. By not measuring function across entire mutualist networks, ecologists have likely underestimated the importance of biodiversity, and particularly of rare species, for ecosystem function.

Effects of climate on pollination networks in the West Indies

2009 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 493-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana M. Martín González ◽  
Bo Dalsgaard ◽  
Jeff Ollerton ◽  
Allan Timmermann ◽  
Jens M. Olesen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Puerto Rico ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
West Indies ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
The West ◽  
Pollinator Importance ◽  
Insect Pollinator ◽  
Pollinator Species ◽  
Plant Pollinator ◽  
Number Of Plant Species

Abstract:We studied the effect of climate on the plant-pollinator communities in the West Indies. We constructed plots of 200 m × 5 m in two distinct habitats on the islands of Dominica, Grenada and Puerto Rico (total of six plots) and recorded visitors to all plant species in flower. In total we recorded 447 interactions among 144 plants and 226 pollinator species. Specifically we describe how rainfall and temperature affect proportional richness and importance of the different pollinator functional groups. We used three measures of pollinator importance: number of interactions, number of plant species visited and betweenness centrality. Overall rainfall explained most of the variation in pollinator richness and relative importance. Bird pollination tended to increase with rainfall, although not significantly, whereas insects were significantly negatively affected by rainfall. However, the response among insect groups was more complex; bees were strongly negatively affected by rainfall, whereas dipterans showed similar trends to birds. Bird, bee and dipteran variation along the climate gradient can be largely explained by their physiological capabilities to respond to rainfall and temperature, but the effect of climate on other insect pollinator groups was more obscure. This study contributes to the understanding of how climate may affect neotropical plant-pollinator communities.

scholarly journals Not all interactions are positive: testing how antagonistic interactions impact the robustness of plant-pollinator networks

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather M. Briggs ◽  
Carolyn A. Ayers ◽  
Paul R. Armsworth ◽  
Berry J. Brosi
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Ecological Systems ◽  
Network Robustness ◽  
Floral Resources ◽  
Nectar Robbing ◽  
Full Spectrum ◽  
Pollinator Species ◽  
Plant Pollinator ◽  
Topological Robustness ◽  
Antagonistic Interactions

AbstractGiven ongoing pollinator declines, it is important to understand the dynamics of linked extinctions of plants driven by pollinator extinctions. Topological robustness models focused on this question suggest relatively high robustness of plant species to pollinator species extinctions. Still, existing robustness models typically assume that all interactions in plant-pollinator networks are positive, which is clearly not always the case. For example, many pollinators remove floral resources with-out transferring pollen, or even damage floral structures in the case of nectar robbing. Here we introduce antagonistic interactions into plant-pollinator networks and assess the resilience of plant communities to pollinator species losses. Incorporating antagonistic interactions leads to lower network robustness, i.e. an increased rate of plant species loss (as compared to networks with only mutualistic interactions) in empirical plant-pollinator networks. In conjunction with extinction order, the addition of increasingly antagonistic interactions was idiosyncratic in that it did not always magnify the effects of extinction order across the three networks. These results underscore the importance of considering the full spectrum of interaction outcomes when assessing robustness to coextinctions in plant-pollinator networks, as well as other ecological systems.

scholarly journals Testing how antagonistic interactions impact the robustness of plant-pollinator networks

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather Briggs ◽  
Carolyn A. Ayers ◽  
Paul R. Armsworth ◽  
Berry J. Brosi
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Ecological Systems ◽  
Network Robustness ◽  
Floral Resources ◽  
Nectar Robbing ◽  
Full Spectrum ◽  
Pollinator Species ◽  
Plant Pollinator ◽  
Topological Robustness ◽  
Antagonistic Interactions

Given ongoing pollinator declines, it is important to understand the dynamics of linked extinctions of plants driven by pollinator extinctions. Topological robustness models focused on this question suggest relatively high robustness of plant species to pollinator species extinctions. Still, existing robustness models typically assume that all interactions in plant-pollinator networks are positive, which is clearly not always the case. For example, many pollinators remove floral resources without transferring pollen, or even damage floral structures in the case of nectar robbing. Here we introduce antagonistic interactions into plant-pollinator networks and assess the resilience of plant communities to pollinator species losses. Incorporating antagonistic interactions leads to lower network robustness, i.e. an increased rate of plant species loss (as compared to networks with only mutualistic interactions) in empirical plant-pollinator networks. In conjunction with extinction order, the addition of increasingly antagonistic interactions was idiosyncratic in that it did not always magnify the effects of extinction order across the three networks. These results underscore the importance of considering the full spectrum of interaction outcomes when assessing robustness to coextinctions in plant-pollinator networks, as well as other ecological systems.

scholarly journals Seasonal variation of plant-pollinator networks on oceanic island: lower specialization when resources are more abundant

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
xiangping wang ◽  
Tong Zeng ◽  
Meihong Wen ◽  
Mingsong Wu ◽  
Dianxiang Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Resource Availability ◽  
Oceanic Islands ◽  
Oceanic Island ◽  
Pollinator Species ◽  
Four Seasons ◽  
Floral Resource ◽  
Plant Pollinator

Abstract Background: The seasonal dynamics of plant and pollinator species components in the community could influence the structure of plant-pollinator networks. However, such dynamics are seldom been attention for oceanic islands networks. Here, we estimated the seasonal variation of seven plant-pollinator networks in Yongxing Island community. We collected a two-monthly data for each network of four seasons and used temporally discrete networks to characterize seasonal changes in plant-pollinator interactions. We predicted that greater floral resource availability in the season would allow for higher specialization patterns as previously described across large spatial gradients, with finer partitioning of the floral niche by the pollinators. Results: As we expected, we found that rainy season network with more plant species in bloom, showed higher levels of network-wide specialization and modularity. However, when we compared seven targeted sampling networks, both the network-wide specialization and modularity were negatively correlated with the number of plant species in bloom. There were no differences between rainy and dry seasons and among four seasons in species-level indices, suggesting that higher network level specialization may be an emergent property only seen when considering the entire network. Hawkmoths presented higher values of specialization in relation to other functional groups; and Apidae presented higher values of species strength than other functional groups. These results suggest some specialized plant species are visited only by Hawkmoths, and most plants associated with Apidae are used by this group. Conclusions: Our results suggested that, on oceanic island, increased floral resource availability in the season may not promote lower interspecific competition among pollinators leading to increased niche overlap, thus explaining the decreased in specialization. Plant-pollinator interactions data collection during dry, rainy season and all year-round generates lower network specialization than four seasons, and this may because that most pollinator species activity spans longer periods than a single season on islands. Thus, depending on the period of data collection, different networks structure of interaction may be found. Plant-pollinator networks have structural properties that vary according to seasons, and this should be taken into account in the studies of complex systems of interactions between plants and pollinators in oceanic islands communities.

scholarly journals Floral scents of a deceptive plant are hyperdiverse and under population-specific phenotypic selection

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gfrerer Eva ◽  
Laina Danae ◽  
Gibernau Marc ◽  
Fuchs Roman ◽  
Happ Martin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Floral Scent ◽  
Phenotypic Selection ◽  
Single Plant ◽  
Floral Scents ◽  
Geographic Patterns ◽  
The Alps ◽  
Arum Maculatum ◽  
Plant Pollinator

ABSTRACTFloral scent is a key mediator in plant-pollinator interactions; however, little is known to what extent intraspecific scent variation is shaped by phenotypic selection, with no information yet in deceptive plants. We recorded 291 scent compounds in deceptive moth fly-pollinated Arum maculatum from various populations north vs. south of the Alps, the highest number so far reported in a single plant species. Scent and fruit set differed between regions, and some, but not all differences in scent could be explained by differential phenotypic selection in northern vs. southern populations. Our study is the first to provide evidence that phenotypic selection is involved in shaping geographic patterns of floral scent in deceptive plants. The hyperdiverse scent of A. maculatum might result from the plant’s imitation of various brood substrates of its pollinators.

Dominance determines fish community biomass in a temperate seagrass ecosystem

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron Matthius Eger ◽  
Rebecca J. Best ◽  
Julia Kathleen Baum
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Ecosystem Function ◽  
Fish Community ◽  
Prey Capture ◽  
Fish Communities ◽  
Functional Trait ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Community Biomass ◽  
Ecosystem Valuation ◽  
Species Abundances

Biodiversity and ecosystem function are often correlated, but there are multiple hypotheses about the mechanisms underlying this relationship. Ecosystem functions such as primary or secondary production may be maximized by species richness, evenness in species abundances, or the presence or dominance of species with certain traits. Here, we combined surveys of natural fish communities (conducted in July and August, 2016) with morphological trait data to examine relationships between diversity and ecosystem function (quantified as fish community biomass) across 14 subtidal eelgrass meadows in the Northeast Pacific (54° N 130° W). We employed both taxonomic and functional trait measures of diversity to investigate if ecosystem function is driven by species diversity (complementarity hypothesis) or by the presence or dominance of species with particular trait values (selection or dominance hypotheses). After controlling for environmental variation, we found that fish community biomass is maximized when taxonomic richness and functional evenness is low, and in communities dominated by species with particular trait values – those associated with benthic habitats and prey capture. While previous work on fish communities has found that species richness is positively correlated with ecosystem function, our results instead highlight the capacity for regionally prevalent and locally dominant species to drive ecosystem function in moderately diverse communities. We discuss these alternate links between community composition and ecosystem function and consider their divergent implications for ecosystem valuation and conservation prioritization.

scholarly journals Homegarden agroecosystems managed by Salar people on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingjing Zhu ◽  
Binsheng Luo ◽  
Ben La ◽  
Ruijie Chen ◽  
Fenggui Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Field Investigation ◽  
Tibet Plateau ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Services Research ◽  
Qinghai Tibet Plateau

Abstract Background Salar is a Turkic-speaking Islamic ethnic group in China living mainly in Xunhua Salar Autonomous County (Xunhua or Xunhua County), Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Salar people are skilled in horticulture and their homegarden (HG) management. They are regarded as the first people on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to practice horticulture, especially manage their HGs, traditional farming systems, and supplementary food production systems. Traditional knowledge of Salar people associated with their HGs always contributes significantly to the local livelihood, food security, ornamental value, and biodiversity conservation. The cultivation of different plants in HGs for self-sufficiency has a long tradition in China’s rural areas, especially in some mountainous areas. However, Salar traditional HGs have not been described. The present paper aims to report the features of Salar HGs mostly based on agrobiodiversity and its ecosystem services. Methods The methods used in this work included semi-structured interviews and participatory observation. A total of 60 households in three townships, 9 villages were surveyed. There are 4–12 family members in each household, aged from 20 to 86 years old. The homestead size is between 200 and 1200 m2. Plant species cultivated in Salar HGs were identified according to Flora of China. Based on a comprehensive survey of Salar HGs and related to background data, we identified and characterized the most important services and functions provided by Salar HGs. Results According to primary production systems, there are 4 different types of Salar HGs, including ornamental focus, product focus, dual-purpose and multi-purpose. In total, 108 (excluding weeds and bonsai) plant species were recorded in Salar HGs, within 43 plant families. The most important and frequently used plants are Rosa chinensis, Armeniaca vulgar, Prunus salicina, and Ziziphus jujuba. About 4 to 32 plant species were recorded in each homegarden. We found that the Salar HGs, as a typical agroecosyste, prossess multiple servcices and functions that directly benefit households according to the field investigation. Conclusion This paper reveals the floristic diversity of Salar HGs. It presents useful information in the homegarden agroecosystem of Salar people, such as HG types and species diversity in Salar HGs. Ecosystem functions and services research suggested that the Salar HG agroecosystem provides agroecosystem services mainly related to supply and culture services. Salar HGs are important as food supplement resources, aesthetics symbol, and cultural spaces.

scholarly journals Insect Visitation to Wildflowers in the Endangered Garry Oak, Quercus garryana, Ecosystem of British Columbia

2005 ◽  
Vol 119 (2) ◽  
pp. 245 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. L. Parachnowitsch ◽  
E. Elle
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Quercus Garryana ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Insect Visitation ◽  
Introduced Honeybee ◽  
Pollinating Insects ◽  
Basic Biology ◽  
Oak Ecosystem ◽  
Plant Pollinator

The Garry Oak Ecosystem (GOE) is a fragmented and endangered ecosystem in Canada, and is currently the focus of conservation and restoration efforts in British Columbia. However, little is known about the basic biology of GOE forbs, or their relationships with pollinating insects. We monitored wildflowers and their insect visitors in 25 quadrats within a 25 × 25 metre plot, located in a fragment of the GOE near Duncan, British Columbia, for six weeks (the majority of the flowering period). Overall, 21 native and non-native forb species flowered in our quadrats during the survey, and we observed an additional six forb species flowering outside of our quadrats. Eight forbs were visited within quadrats by a total of 13 insect taxa, identified to morphospecies. Visits by eight additional morphospecies were observed outside of the quadrats. In general, visitation was low; however, most insect morphospecies were observed visiting more than one plant species, and most plant species were visited by more than one insect morphospecies, suggesting that pollination may be generalised in this community. A Chi-squared analysis indicated that insect visitation was not proportional to the relative abundance of forbs, with higher than expected visitation to Common camas (Camassia quamash), and no observed visits to 11 species, most with very small (putatively unattractive) flowers. The most frequent insect visitor was the introduced Honeybee, Apis mellifera, followed by native mason bees (Osmia spp.) and mining bees (Andrena spp.). Our observations provide baseline data for future, detailed studies that should investigate the importance of plant-pollinator mutualisms for sustainability of populations and communities in this rare ecosystem.

Trends in the pollination ecology of the Orchidaceae: evolution and systematics

1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 642-650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymond Louis Tremblay
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Evolutionary Ecology ◽  
Evolutionary Significance ◽  
Evolutionary Trend ◽  
Pollen Transfer ◽  
Orchid Species ◽  
Pollinator Species ◽  
Plant Taxon ◽  
Pollinator Specialization ◽  
The Cost

Reduction in the number of pollinator species per plant species is a mechanism that may lower the cost of pollen transfer. Using efficient pollinators may have an evolutionary significance. It is hypothesized that an evolutionary trend from many pollinators to few pollinators per plant species should be observable when species from ancestral versus recently derived monophyletic taxon are compared. Three different orchid phylogenetic sequences are used; two of the phylogenies show a reduction in the number of pollinator species per orchid species from the most ancestral to the most recently derived subfamilies. The third classification did not show this trend. It is thus possible to observe macroevolution of pollinator specialization of a monophyletic plant taxon. Key words: evolution, pollination, systematics, Orchidaceae, evolutionary ecology.

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