1
|
Hederström V, Ekroos J, Friberg M, Krausl T, Opedal ØH, Persson AS, Petrén H, Quan Y, Smith HG, Clough Y. Pollinator-mediated effects of landscape-scale land use on grassland plant community composition and ecosystem functioning - seven hypotheses. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024; 99:675-698. [PMID: 38118437 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
Environmental change is disrupting mutualisms between organisms worldwide. Reported declines in insect populations and changes in pollinator community compositions in response to land use and other environmental drivers have put the spotlight on the need to conserve pollinators. While this is often motivated by their role in supporting crop yields, the role of pollinators for reproduction and resulting taxonomic and functional assembly in wild plant communities has received less attention. Recent findings suggest that observed and experimental gradients in pollinator availability can affect plant community composition, but we know little about when such shifts are to be expected, or the impact they have on ecosystem functioning. Correlations between plant traits related to pollination and plant traits related to other important ecosystem functions, such as productivity, nitrogen uptake or palatability to herbivores, lead us to expect non-random shifts in ecosystem functioning in response to changes in pollinator communities. At the same time, ecological and evolutionary processes may counteract these effects of pollinator declines, limiting changes in plant community composition, and in ecosystem functioning. Despite calls to investigate community- and ecosystem-level impacts of reduced pollination, the study of pollinator effects on plants has largely been confined to impacts on plant individuals or single-species populations. With this review we aim to break new ground by bringing together aspects of landscape ecology, ecological and evolutionary plant-insect interactions, and biodiversity-ecosystem functioning research, to generate new ideas and hypotheses about the ecosystem-level consequences of pollinator declines in response to land-use change, using grasslands as a focal system. Based on an integrated set of seven hypotheses, we call for more research investigating the putative pollinator-mediated links between landscape-scale land use and ecosystem functioning. In particular, future research should use combinations of experimental and observational approaches to assess the effects of changes in pollinator communities over multiple years and across species on plant communities and on trait distributions both within and among species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Hederström
- Centre for Environmental and Climate Science, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, Lund, 223 62, Sweden
| | - Johan Ekroos
- Centre for Environmental and Climate Science, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, Lund, 223 62, Sweden
| | - Magne Friberg
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, Lund, 223 62, Sweden
| | - Theresia Krausl
- Centre for Environmental and Climate Science, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, Lund, 223 62, Sweden
| | - Øystein H Opedal
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, Lund, 223 62, Sweden
| | - Anna S Persson
- Centre for Environmental and Climate Science, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, Lund, 223 62, Sweden
| | - Hampus Petrén
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, Lund, 223 62, Sweden
| | - Yuanyuan Quan
- Centre for Environmental and Climate Science, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, Lund, 223 62, Sweden
| | - Henrik G Smith
- Centre for Environmental and Climate Science, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, Lund, 223 62, Sweden
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, Lund, 223 62, Sweden
| | - Yann Clough
- Centre for Environmental and Climate Science, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, Lund, 223 62, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Khan KA, Liu T. Morphological Structure and Distribution of Hairiness on Different Body Parts of Apis mellifera with an Implication on Pollination Biology and a Novel Method to Measure the Hair Length. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13020189. [PMID: 35206762 PMCID: PMC8874558 DOI: 10.3390/insects13020189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Bees play a very important role in pollination, especially western honey bees, which contribute upwards of billions of dollars concerning crop pollination. Hairiness plays an important role in pollination success by transporting pollen, and pollen intake, but there is a lack of detailed studies on the morphological mechanisms. The hairiness trait is barely discussed in pollinator trait analysis because of the lack of systematic techniques used to measure hairiness. This paper reports a novel method that is used to measure the hair length of different body parts of a western honey bee through a stereomicroscope equipped with live measurement module software. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to update the knowledge regarding the hair structure of a western honey bee. We explained different types of hairs, hair branches, and their distributions on different body parts, which are discussed in detail. A positive correlation was found between hair length and the number of branches on all body parts. Five types of branches were observed, and these branches vary with different body parts. Our study provides sufficient details about the hair morphology of the western honey bee and a new methodology for measuring hair length. This methodology will improve the knowledge about understanding the pollination efficiency of the western honey bee.
Collapse
|
3
|
Comparative Efficiency of Native Insect Pollinators in Reproductive Performance of Medicago sativa L. in Pakistan. INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12111029. [PMID: 34821829 PMCID: PMC8625494 DOI: 10.3390/insects12111029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) is a cross-pollinated crop and requires entomophilous pollination for tripping of flowers and subsequent pod and seed set. To discover the best pollinators for lucerne seed production, a two-year field trial was carried out at the research farm of MNS University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan. Abundance and diversity of insect pollinators along with the foraging behavior were recorded in terms of tripping efficiency, stay time, visitation rate and pollen harvest. The single-visit efficiency of abundant insect pollinators was also evaluated in terms of number of seeds and seed weight per raceme along with germination percentage. Ten most abundant floral visitors (five solitary bee species, three honeybee species and two syrphid fly species) were tested for their pollination efficiency. Honeybees were most abundant in both the years followed by the solitary bees and syrphid flies. Single-visit efficacy in terms of number of pods per raceme, number of seeds per raceme, 1000 seed weight and germination percentage revealed Megachile cephalotes as the most efficient insect pollinator followed by Megachile hera and Amegilla sp. Future studies should investigate the biology and ecology of these bee species with special emphasis on their nesting behavior and seasonality.
Collapse
|
4
|
Roquer‐Beni L, Alins G, Arnan X, Boreux V, García D, Hambäck PA, Happe A, Klein A, Miñarro M, Mody K, Porcel M, Rodrigo A, Samnegård U, Tasin M, Bosch J. Management‐dependent effects of pollinator functional diversity on apple pollination services: A response–effect trait approach. J Appl Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.14022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Roquer‐Beni
- CREAFUniversitat Autònoma de Barcelona Bellaterra Spain
- BETAUniversity of Vic–Central University of Catalonia Vic Spain
| | | | - Xavier Arnan
- CREAFUniversitat Autònoma de Barcelona Bellaterra Spain
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Pernambuco Garanhuns Brazil
| | - Virginie Boreux
- Chair of Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology University of Freiburg Freiburg Germany
| | - Daniel García
- Instituto Mixto de Investigación en Biodiversidad (CSIC‐Uo‐PA) Oviedo Spain
| | - Peter A. Hambäck
- Department of Ecology Environment and Plant Sciences Stockholm University Stockholm Sweden
| | - Anne‐Kathrin Happe
- Department of Biology Technical University of Darmstadt Darmstadt Germany
| | - Alexandra‐Maria Klein
- Chair of Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology University of Freiburg Freiburg Germany
| | - Marcos Miñarro
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario Villaviciosa Spain
| | - Karsten Mody
- Department of Biology Technical University of Darmstadt Darmstadt Germany
- Department of Applied Ecology Hochschule Geisenheim University Geisenheim Germany
| | - Mario Porcel
- Department of Plant Protection Biology Integrated Plant Protection Unit Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Alnarp Sweden
- Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria Meta Colombia
| | | | - Ulrika Samnegård
- Department of Ecology Environment and Plant Sciences Stockholm University Stockholm Sweden
- Department of Biology Lund University Lund Sweden
- School of Environmental & Rural Sciences University of New England Armidale Australia
| | - Marco Tasin
- Department of Plant Protection Biology Integrated Plant Protection Unit Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Alnarp Sweden
- Department of Chemistry University of Padova Padova Italy
| | - Jordi Bosch
- CREAFUniversitat Autònoma de Barcelona Bellaterra Spain
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Using Matching Traits to Study the Impacts of Land-Use Intensification on Plant-Pollinator Interactions in European Grasslands: A Review. INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12080680. [PMID: 34442246 PMCID: PMC8396669 DOI: 10.3390/insects12080680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Permanent grasslands are main habitats for many plant species and pollinators. Their destruction as well as their intensification has a major impact on plant and pollinator biodiversity, which has a cascading effect on pollination. However, we lack an understanding of these effects, thereby limiting our ability to predict them. In this review, we synthesised the literature on the mechanisms behind this cascade to provide new insights into the relationship between land-use intensification and pollination. By matching functional traits that mediate the relationship between the two trophic levels, we identified major knowledge gaps about how land-use intensification affects plant–pollinator interactions and how it favours plants with generalised floral traits, which are likely harmful to pollination. Abstract Permanent grasslands are suitable habitats for many plant and animal species, among which are pollinating insects that provide a wide range of ecosystem services. A global crisis in pollination ecosystem service has been highlighted in recent decades, partly the result of land-use intensification. At the grassland scale, however, the underlying mechanisms of land-use intensification that affect plant–pollinator interactions and pollination remain understudied. In this review, we first synthesise the literature to provide new insights into the relationships between land-use intensification and pollination by using matching community and interaction traits. We then identify knowledge gaps and summarise how land-use intensification of grassland influences floral traits that may in turn be associated with modifications to pollinator matching traits. Last, we summarise how these modifications may affect pollination function on permanent grasslands. Overall, land-use intensification may lead to a shift in flower colour, a decrease in mean nectar tube depth and a decrease in reward production and pollen quality at the community level. This, in turn, may generate a decrease in pollinator mouthparts length and body size, that may favour pollinators that require a low amount of floral reward. We found no study citing the effect of land-use intensification on volatile organic compounds emitted by flowers despite the importance of these molecules in pollinator community composition. Overall, our review highlighted major knowledge gaps about the effects of land-use intensification on plant–pollinator interactions, and suggests that land-use intensification could favour plants with generalised floral traits that adversely affect pollination.
Collapse
|
6
|
Földesi R, Howlett BG, Grass I, Batáry P. Larger pollinators deposit more pollen on stigmas across multiple plant species—A meta‐analysis. J Appl Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rita Földesi
- Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation, Agroecology and Organic Farming Group University of Bonn Bonn Germany
| | - Brad G. Howlett
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited Christchurch New Zealand
| | - Ingo Grass
- Ecology of Tropical Agricultural Systems University of Hohenheim Stuttgart Germany
| | - Péter Batáry
- ‘Lendület’ Landscape and Conservation Ecology Institute of Ecology and Botany Centre for Ecological Research Vácrátót Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Cook DF, Voss SC, Finch JTD, Rader RC, Cook JM, Spurr CJ. The Role of Flies as Pollinators of Horticultural Crops: An Australian Case Study with Worldwide Relevance. INSECTS 2020; 11:E341. [PMID: 32498457 PMCID: PMC7349676 DOI: 10.3390/insects11060341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Australian horticulture relies heavily on the introduced managed honey bee, Apis mellifera Linnaeus 1758 (Hymenoptera: Apidae), to pollinate crops. Given the risks associated with reliance upon a single species, it would be prudent to identify other taxa that could be managed to provide crop pollination services. We reviewed the literature relating to the distribution, efficiency and management potential of a number of flies (Diptera) known to visit pollinator-dependent crops in Australia and worldwide. Applying this information, we identified the taxa most suitable to play a greater role as managed pollinators in Australian crops. Of the taxa reviewed, flower visitation by representatives from the dipteran families Calliphoridae, Rhiniidae and Syrphidae was frequently reported in the literature. While data available are limited, there was clear evidence of pollination by these flies in a range of crops. A review of fly morphology, foraging behaviour and physiology revealed considerable potential for their development as managed pollinators, either alone or to augment honey bee services. Considering existing pollination evidence, along with the distribution, morphology, behaviour and life history traits of introduced and endemic species, 11 calliphorid, two rhiniid and seven syrphid species were identified as candidates with high potential for use in Australian managed pollination services. Research directions for the comprehensive assessment of the pollination abilities of the identified taxa to facilitate their development as a pollination service are described. This triage approach to identifying species with high potential to become significant managed pollinators at local or regional levels is clearly widely applicable to other countries and taxa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David F Cook
- Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, 3 Baron-Hay Court, South Perth, WA 6151, Australia
| | - Sasha C Voss
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia;
| | - Jonathan T D Finch
- Plants Animals and Interactions, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia; (J.T.D.F.); (J.M.C.)
| | - Romina C Rader
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Madgewick Drive, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia;
| | - James M Cook
- Plants Animals and Interactions, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia; (J.T.D.F.); (J.M.C.)
| | - Cameron J Spurr
- SeedPurity Pty Ltd., 2 Derwent Avenue, Margate, Tasmania 7054, Australia;
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Dunn L, Lequerica M, Reid CR, Latty T. Dual ecosystem services of syrphid flies (Diptera: Syrphidae): pollinators and biological control agents. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2020; 76:1973-1979. [PMID: 32115861 DOI: 10.1002/ps.5807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
With increasing worldwide pressure on bee pollinator populations and an increase in insecticide resistance amongst pest insects, there is a growing need for diversification of pollinator and pest control systems. Syrphid flies (Diptera: Syrphidae) contribute ecosystem services to agroecosystems through their supporting roles as crop pollinators and predators of pests. Adult syrphids are important pollinators with high floral visitation rates and pollen carrying capacity, while predatory syrphid larvae are natural biological control agents, reducing aphid populations in both field and laboratory conditions. The present challenge is to determine whether syrphid flies have the potential for application as pollinators and in integrated pest management schemes as biological control agents. Currently, there are gaps in research that are hindering the use of syrphids as dual service providers. Such gaps include a lack of knowledge of syrphid floral preferences, the role and viability of adult syrphids as pollinators in natural and agro-ecological pollinator networks, and the predatory efficiency of larvae in field and glasshouse conditions. By reviewing relevant literature, we demonstrate syrphid flies have the potential to be used as pollinators and biological control agents. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucinda Dunn
- Sydney Institute of Agriculture, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Manuel Lequerica
- Integrative Ecology Lab, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Chris R Reid
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Australia
| | - Tanya Latty
- Sydney Institute of Agriculture, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Roquer‐Beni L, Rodrigo A, Arnan X, Klein A, Fornoff F, Boreux V, Bosch J. A novel method to measure hairiness in bees and other insect pollinators. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:2979-2990. [PMID: 32211170 PMCID: PMC7083657 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Hairiness is a salient trait of insect pollinators that has been linked to thermoregulation, pollen uptake and transportation, and pollination success. Despite its potential importance in pollination ecology, hairiness is rarely included in pollinator trait analyses. This is likely due to the lack of standardized and efficient methods to measure hairiness. We describe a novel methodology that uses a stereomicroscope equipped with a live measurement module software to quantitatively measure two components of hairiness: hair density and hair length. We took measures of the two hairiness components in 109 insect pollinator species (including 52 bee species). We analyzed the relationship between hair density and length and between these two components and body size. We combined hair density and length measures to calculate a hairiness index and tested whether hairiness differed between major pollinator groups and bee genera. Body size was strongly and positively correlated to hair length and weakly and negatively correlated to hair density. The correlation between the two hairiness components was weak and negative. According to our hairiness index, butterflies and moths were the hairiest pollinator group, followed by bees, hoverflies, beetles, and other flies. Among bees, bumblebees (Bombus) and mason bees (Osmia) were the hairiest taxa, followed by digger bees (Anthophorinae), sand bees (Andrena), and sweat bees (Halictini). Our methodology provides an effective and standardized measure of the two components of hairiness (hair density and length), thus allowing for a meaningful interpretation of hairiness. We provide a detailed protocol of our methodology, which we hope will contribute to improve our understanding of pollination effectiveness, thermal biology, and responses to climate change in insects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Roquer‐Beni
- CREAFUniversitat Autònoma de BarcelonaCerdanyola del VallèsCatalunyaSpain
| | - Anselm Rodrigo
- CREAFUniversitat Autònoma de BarcelonaCerdanyola del VallèsCatalunyaSpain
| | - Xavier Arnan
- CREAFUniversitat Autònoma de BarcelonaCerdanyola del VallèsCatalunyaSpain
| | | | - Felix Fornoff
- Nature Conservation and Landscape EcologyUniversity of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
| | - Virginie Boreux
- Nature Conservation and Landscape EcologyUniversity of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
| | - Jordi Bosch
- CREAFUniversitat Autònoma de BarcelonaCerdanyola del VallèsCatalunyaSpain
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Lynn A, Piotter E, Harrison E, Galen C. Sexual and natural selection on pollen morphology in Taraxacum. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 2020; 107:364-374. [PMID: 32052420 DOI: 10.1002/ajb2.1428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
PREMISE Spiny pollen has evolved independently in multiple entomophilous lineages. Sexual selection may act on exine traits that facilitate male mating success by influencing the transfer of pollen from the anther to the body of the pollinator, while natural selection acts to increase pollen survival. We postulated that relative to sexual congeners, apomictic dandelions undergo relaxed selection on traits associated with male mating success. METHODS We explored sexual selection on exine traits by measuring the propensity for Taraxacum spp. pollen to attach to hairs of flower-visiting bumblebees (Bombus spp.) or flies (Diptera: Syrphidae and Muscoidea) and assessed natural selection by testing whether pollen traits defend against consumption. RESULTS Pollen picked up by bumblebees exhibited a narrower subset of spine-spacing phenotypes, consistent with stabilizing selection. Flies picked up larger pollen from flowers than expected at random. Surveys of corbiculae (pollen basket) contents from foraging bumblebees and feces of flies showed that pollen grains consumed by both kinds of visitors are similar in spine characteristics and size to those produced by the donor. When bees visit inflorescences of apomictic T. officinale, they pick up pollen with spine-spacing phenotypes above the mean and shifted toward those of sexual T. ceratophorum. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate that traits under sexual selection during pollen pickup vary among pollinators, while natural selection for pollen defense is nil in T. ceratophorum. In hybrid zones between apomictic and sexual dandelions, pollen traits place apomictic donors at a dispersal disadvantage, potentially reinforcing reproductive isolation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Austin Lynn
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65202, USA
| | - Emelyn Piotter
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65202, USA
| | - Ellie Harrison
- Warner College of Natural Resources, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Candace Galen
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65202, USA
| |
Collapse
|