1
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Smith GP, Cohen H, Zorn JF, McFrederick QS, Ponisio LC. Plant-pollinator network architecture does not impact intraspecific microbiome variability. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17306. [PMID: 38414303 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17306] [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: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Variation in how individuals interact with food resources can directly impact, and be affected by, their microbial interactions due to the potential for transmission. The degree to which this transmission occurs, however, may depend on the structure of forager networks, which determine the community-scale transmission opportunities. In particular, how the community-scale opportunity for transfer balances individual-scale barriers to transmission is unclear. Examining the bee-flower and bee-microbial interactions of over 1000 individual bees, we tested (1) the degree to which individual floral visits predicted microbiome composition and (2) whether plant-bee networks with increased opportunity for microbial transmission homogenized the microbiomes of bees within that network. The pollen community composition carried by bees was associated with microbiome composition at some sites, suggesting that microbial transmission at flowers occurred. Contrary to our predictions, however, microbiome variability did not differ based on transfer opportunity: bee microbiomes in asymmetric networks with high opportunity for microbial transfer were similarly variable compared to microbiomes in networks with more evenly distributed links. These findings suggest that microbial transmission at flowers is frequent enough to be observed at the community level, but that community network structure did not substantially change the dynamics of this transmission, perhaps due to filtering processes in host guts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordon P Smith
- Department of Biology, Williams College, Williamstown, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Biology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA
| | - Hamutahl Cohen
- Department of Biology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA
- University of California Cooperative Extension Ventura County, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ventura, California, USA
| | - Jocelyn F Zorn
- Department of Biology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA
| | - Quinn S McFrederick
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, USA
| | - Lauren C Ponisio
- Department of Biology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA
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2
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Williams NM, Buderi A, Rowe L, Ward K. Wildflower plantings enhance nesting opportunities for soil-nesting bees. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2024; 34:e2935. [PMID: 38071699 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Ongoing declines of bees and other pollinators are driven in part by the loss of critical floral resources and nesting substrates. Most conservation/restoration efforts for bees aim to enhance floral abundance and continuity but often assume the same actions will bolster nesting opportunities. Recent research suggests that habitat plantings may not always provide both forage and nesting resources. We evaluated wildflower plantings designed to augment floral resources to determine their ability to enhance nesting by soil-nesting bees over 3 study years in Northern California agricultural landscapes. We established wildflower plantings along borders of annual row crops and paired each with an unplanted control border. We used soil emergence traps to assess nest densities and species richness of soil-nesting bees from spring through late summer at paired field borders planted with wildflowers or maintained conventionally as bare or sparsely vegetated areas, as is typical for the region. We also quantified soil-surface characteristics and flower resources among borders. Wildflower plantings significantly increased nest densities and the richness of bee species using them. Such benefits occurred within the first year of planting and persisted up to 4 years post establishment. The composition of nesting bee communities also differed between wildflower and unenhanced borders. Wildflower plantings differed from controls in multiple characteristics of the soil surface, including vegetation cover, surface microtopography and hardness. Surprisingly, only vegetation cover significantly affected nest densities and species richness. Wildflower plantings are a widespread habitat action with the potential to support wild bees. The demonstrated benefit wildflower plantings had for increasing the nesting of soil-nesting bees greatly augments their relevance for the conservation of wild bee communities in agricultural and other landscapes. Identifying soil-surface characteristics that are important for nesting provides critical information to guide the implementation and management of habitats for bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neal M Williams
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
- Graduate Group in Ecology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Andrew Buderi
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Logan Rowe
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Kimiora Ward
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
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3
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Levenson HK, Metz BN, Tarpy DR. Effects of study design parameters on estimates of bee abundance and richness in agroecosystems: a meta-analysis. ANNALS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2024; 117:92-106. [PMID: 38486925 PMCID: PMC10933562 DOI: 10.1093/aesa/saae001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Pollinators are critical for agricultural production and food security, leading to many ongoing surveys of pollinators (especially bees) in crop and adjacent landscapes. These surveys have become increasingly important to better understand the community of potential pollinators, quantify relative insect abundance, and secure crop ecosystem services. However, as some bee populations are declining, there is a need to align and improve bee survey efforts, so that they can best meet research and conservation goals, particularly in light of the logistical and financial constraints of conducting such studies. Here, we mined the existing literature on bee surveys in or around agricultural lands to better understand how sampling methods can be optimized to maximize estimates of 2 key measures of bee communities (abundance and richness). After reviewing 72 papers spanning 20 yr of publication, we found that study duration, number of sites, sampling time, and sampling method most significantly influenced abundance, while the number of trips per year and collection method significantly influenced richness. Our analysis helps to derive thresholds, priorities, and recommendations that can be applied to future studies describing bee communities in agroecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah K Levenson
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Bradley N Metz
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - David R Tarpy
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
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4
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Levenson HK, Tarpy DR. Planted pollinator habitat in agroecosystems: How does the pollinator community respond? Front Ecol Evol 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2023.1060834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Pollinators are important both ecologically and economically. Nonetheless, documented pollinator population decline threatens ecosystem functioning and human well-being. In response, conservation methods such as augmented pollinator habitat are becoming popular tools to combat pollinator losses. While previous research has shown added habitat can benefit bee communities, there are still aspects of the habitat implementation that require further research, particularly how this will impact bee communities in real-world settings beyond researcher-led efforts. In our study, we use a 2016 initiative mandating the planting of pollinator habitat on research stations across North Carolina, United States to act as an outdoor laboratory to investigate this exact question. From 2016 to 2018, we found significant increases in bee abundance and diversity. However, these increases depended on the quality of habitat, with areas of higher flower cover and diversity supporting larger, more diverse bee communities. Although the habitats positively supported bee communities, we found that resources within the habitats were lower later in the sampling season, highlighting the need of developing seed mixes that include late season resources. Weedy plants were documented to establish within the habitats, demonstrating the need for regular upkeep and maintenance of pollinator habitat in order to appropriately support bee communities. It is likely that planting pollinator habitat will not be a one-size-fits-all conservation solution, as bee species can respond differently to some habitat characteristics. Future long-term studies on pollinators will be important as natural fluctuations in bee populations may limit findings and many knowledge gaps on native bees still persist.
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Gaiarsa MP, Bascompte J. Hidden effects of habitat restoration on the persistence of pollination networks. Ecol Lett 2022; 25:2132-2141. [PMID: 36006740 PMCID: PMC9804604 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Past and recent studies have focused on the effects of global change drivers such as species invasions on species extinction. However, as we enter the United Nations Decade of Ecosystem Restoration the aim must switch to understanding how invasive-species management affects the persistence of the remaining species in a community. Focusing on plant-pollinator interactions, we test how species persistence is affected by restoration via the removal of invasive plant species. Restoration had a clear positive effect on plant persistence, whereas there was no difference between across treatments for pollinator persistence in the early season, but a clear effect in late season, with higher persistence in unrestored sites. Network structure affected only pollinator persistence, while centrality had a strong positive effect on both plants and pollinators. Our results suggest a hidden effect of invasive plants-although they may compete with native plant species, invasive plants may provide important resources for pollinators, at least in the short term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilia P. Gaiarsa
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental StudiesUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
- School of Natural SciencesUniversity of California, MercedMercedCaliforniaUSA
| | - Jordi Bascompte
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental StudiesUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
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6
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Erickson E, Junker RR, Ali JG, McCartney N, Patch HM, Grozinger CM. Complex floral traits shape pollinator attraction to ornamental plants. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2022; 130:561-577. [PMID: 35732011 PMCID: PMC9510942 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcac082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Ornamental flowering plant species are often used in managed greenspaces to attract and support pollinator populations. In natural systems, selection by pollinators is hypothesized to result in convergent multimodal floral phenotypes that are more attractive to specific pollinator taxa. In contrast, ornamental cultivars are bred via artificial selection by humans, and exhibit diverse and distinct phenotypes. Despite their prevalence in managed habitats, the influence of cultivar phenotypic variation on plant attractiveness to pollinator taxa is not well resolved. METHODS We used a combination of field and behavioural assays to evaluate how variation in floral visual, chemical and nutritional traits impacted overall attractiveness and visitation by pollinator taxonomic groups and bee species to 25 cultivars of five herbaceous perennial ornamental plant genera. KEY RESULTS Despite significant phenotypic variation, cultivars tended to attract a broad range of pollinator species. Nonetheless, at the level of insect order (bee, fly, butterfly, beetle), attraction was generally modulated by traits consistent with the pollination syndrome hypothesis. At the level of bee species, the relative influence of traits on visitation varied across plant genera, with some floral phenotypes leading to a broadening of the visitor community, and others leading to exclusion of visitation by certain bee species. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate how pollinator choice is mediated by complex multimodal floral signals. Importantly, the traits that had the greatest and most consistent effect on regulating pollinator attraction were those that are commonly selected for in cultivar development. Though variation among cultivars in floral traits may limit the pollinator community by excluding certain species, it may also encourage interactions with generalist taxa to support pollinator diversity in managed landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - R R Junker
- Evolutionary Ecology of Plants, Department of Biology, University of Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany
- Department of Environment and Biodiversity, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - J G Ali
- Department of Entomology, Center for Pollinator Research, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, ASI Building University Park, PA, USA
| | - N McCartney
- Department of Entomology, Center for Pollinator Research, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, ASI Building University Park, PA, USA
| | - H M Patch
- Department of Entomology, Center for Pollinator Research, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, ASI Building University Park, PA, USA
| | - C M Grozinger
- Department of Entomology, Center for Pollinator Research, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, ASI Building University Park, PA, USA
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7
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Gonzales D, Hempel de Ibarra N, Anderson K. Remote Sensing of Floral Resources for Pollinators – New Horizons From Satellites to Drones. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.869751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Insect pollinators are affected by the spatio-temporal distribution of floral resources, which are dynamic across time and space, and also influenced heavily by anthropogenic activities. There is a need for spatial data describing the time-varying spatial distribution of flowers, which can be used within behavioral and ecological studies. However, this information is challenging to obtain. Traditional field techniques for mapping flowers are often laborious and limited to relatively small areas, making it difficult to assess how floral resources are perceived by pollinators to guide their behaviors. Conversely, remote sensing of plant traits is a relatively mature technique now, and such technologies have delivered valuable data for identifying and measuring non-floral dynamics in plant systems, particularly leaves, stems and woody biomass in a wide range of ecosystems from local to global scales. However, monitoring the spatial and temporal dynamics of plant floral resources has been notably scarce in remote sensing studies. Recently, lightweight drone technology has been adopted by the ecological community, offering a capability for flexible deployment in the field, and delivery of centimetric resolution data, providing a clear opportunity for capturing fine-grained information on floral resources at key times of the flowering season. In this review, we answer three key questions of relevance to pollination science – can remote sensing deliver information on (a) how isolated are floral resources? (b) What resources are available within a flower patch? And (c) how do floral patches change over time? We explain how such information has potential to deepen ecological understanding of the distribution of floral resources that feed pollinators and the parameters that determine their navigational and foraging choices based on the sensory information they extract at different spatial scales. We provide examples of how such data can be used to generate new insights into pollinator behaviors in distinct landscape types and their resilience to environmental change.
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8
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Biffi S, Chapman PJ, Grayson RP, Ziv G. Soil carbon sequestration potential of planting hedgerows in agricultural landscapes. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 307:114484. [PMID: 35078067 PMCID: PMC8850413 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.114484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Realising the carbon (C) sequestration capacity of agricultural soils is needed to reach Paris Climate Agreement goals; thus, quantifying hedgerow planting potential to offset anthropogenic CO2 emissions is crucial for accurate climate mitigation modelling. Although being a widespread habitat in England and throughout Europe, the potential of hedgerows to contribute to net-zero targets is unclear. This is the first study to quantify the soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration rate associated with planting hedgerows. We derived SOC stocks beneath hedgerows based on two estimation methods to assess differences from adjacent intensively managed grassland fields and how these may be affected by sampling depth and hedgerow age, as well as the SOC estimation method used. Twenty-six hedgerows on five dairy farms in Cumbria, England, were classified based on the time since their planting. We measured SOC stocks in 10 cm depth intervals in the top 50 cm of soil beneath hedgerows and in adjacent grassland fields. SOC beneath hedgerows was on average 31.3% higher than in the fields, 3.3% for 2-4 year old hedgerows, 14.4% for 10 year old, 45.2% for 37 year old, and 57.2% for older ones. We show that SOC sequestration rate beneath 37 year old hedgerows was 1.48 Mg C ha-1 yr-1 in the top 50 cm of soil. If England reaches its goal of a 40% increase in hedgerow length, 6.3 Tg CO2 will be stored in the soil over 40 years, annually offsetting 4.7%-6.4% of present-day agricultural CO2 emissions. However, the current rate of planting funded by agri-environment schemes, which today reaches only 0.02% of emissions, is too slow. Private-sector payments for ecosystem services initiatives (e.g., 'Milk Plan') show much higher rates of planting and are needed alongside agri-environment schemes to ensure hedgerow planting contributes to net-zero targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Biffi
- University of Leeds, School of Geography, Seminary St, Woodhouse, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
| | - Pippa J Chapman
- University of Leeds, School of Geography, Seminary St, Woodhouse, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Richard P Grayson
- University of Leeds, School of Geography, Seminary St, Woodhouse, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Guy Ziv
- University of Leeds, School of Geography, Seminary St, Woodhouse, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
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9
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O'Brien SA, Dehling DM, Tylianakis JM. The recovery of functional diversity with restoration. Ecology 2021; 103:e3618. [PMID: 34927237 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Ecological restoration aims at recovering biodiversity in degraded ecosystems, and it is commonly assessed via species richness. However, it is unclear whether increasing species richness in a site also recovers its functional diversity, which has been shown to be a better representation of ecosystem functioning. We conducted a quantitative synthesis of 30 restoration projects and tested whether restoration improves functional diversity. We compared actively and passively restored sites with degraded and reference sites with respect to four key measures of functional diversity (richness, evenness, dispersion and functional turnover) and two measures of species diversity (richness and evenness). We separately analyzed longitudinal studies (which monitor degraded, reference and restored sites through time) and space-for-time substitutions (which compare at one point in time degraded and reference sites with restored sites of different ages). Space-for-time studies suggested that species and functional diversity improved over time. However, replicated longitudinal data showed no sustained benefits of active or passive restoration for functional diversity measures, relative to degraded sites. This could suggest that the positive results in space-for-time designs may have been unreliable, but the relative short duration of longitudinal studies suggests a need for longer-term longitudinal research to robustly demonstrate the absence of any effect. These differences across study designs may explain the variable results found in recent studies directly measuring the response of functional diversity to restoration. We recommend that future assessments of ecological community dynamics include control sites in monitoring, to ensure the consequences of treatments, including but not limited to restoration, are correctly partitioned from unassisted temporal changes. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie A O'Brien
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - D Matthias Dehling
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Jason M Tylianakis
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
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10
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Smith GP, Gardner J, Gibbs J, Griswold T, Hauser M, Yanega D, Ponisio LC. Sex‐associated differences in the network roles of pollinators. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Gordon P. Smith
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior Cornell University W361 Mudd Hall, 215 Tower Road Ithaca New York 14853 USA
- Department of Biology Institute of Ecology and Evolution University of Oregon 272 Onyx Bridge Eugene Oregon 97403 USA
- Department of Entomology University of California, Riverside 417 Entomology Bldg. Riverside California 92521 USA
| | - Joel Gardner
- Department of Entomology University of Manitoba 12 Dafoe Road Winnipeg Manitoba Canada
| | - Jason Gibbs
- Department of Entomology University of Manitoba 12 Dafoe Road Winnipeg Manitoba Canada
| | - Terry Griswold
- USDA‐ARS Pollinating Insects Research Unit Utah State University 1410 North 800 East Logan Utah 84322 USA
| | - Martin Hauser
- Plant Pest Diagnostics Branch California Department of Food and Agriculture 3294 Meadowview Road Sacramento California 95832 USA
| | - Doug Yanega
- Department of Entomology University of California, Riverside 417 Entomology Bldg. Riverside California 92521 USA
| | - Lauren C. Ponisio
- Department of Biology Institute of Ecology and Evolution University of Oregon 272 Onyx Bridge Eugene Oregon 97403 USA
- Department of Entomology University of California, Riverside 417 Entomology Bldg. Riverside California 92521 USA
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11
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Time since establishment drives bee and hoverfly diversity, abundance of crop-pollinating bees and aphidophagous hoverflies in perennial wildflower strips. Basic Appl Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2021.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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12
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Lane IG, Portman ZM, Herron‐Sweet CH, Pardee GL, Cariveau DP. Differences in bee community composition between restored and remnant prairies are more strongly linked to forb community differences than landscape differences. J Appl Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.14035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ian G. Lane
- Department of Entomology University of Minnesota St. Paul MN USA
| | | | | | - Gabriella L. Pardee
- Department of Entomology University of Minnesota St. Paul MN USA
- Department of Integrative Biology University of Texas Austin TX USA
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Herbaceous perennial ornamental plants can support complex pollinator communities. Sci Rep 2021; 11:17352. [PMID: 34462447 PMCID: PMC8405689 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95892-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Human-designed landscapes can host diverse pollinator communities, and the availability of floral resources is central to supporting insect biodiversity in highly modified environments. However, some urban landscapes have relatively few pollinator-attractive plant species and management in urban environments rarely considers the function of these plants in generating and supporting a stable ecological community. Evaluations of 25 cultivars within five commercially popular herbaceous perennial ornamental plant genera (Agastache, Echinacea, Nepeta, Rudbeckia, and Salvia) revealed variation in the total and proportional abundance of visitors attracted. These varieties supported multiple pollinator functional groups, however bees were the primary visitors to in this system. Cultivars were assessed according to their function within a plant–pollinator network. Comparisons of artificial networks created with the six most attractive and six least attractive cultivars demonstrated that a planting scheme using the most attractive cultivars would attract nearly four times as many bee species, including several specialists and rare species. Plant diversity in the landscape was correlated with abundance and diversity of pollinator visitors, demonstrating that community context shapes a plant’s relative attractiveness to pollinators. We conclude that herbaceous perennial cultivars can support an abundance and diversity of pollinator visitors, however, planting schemes should take into consideration the effects of cultivar, landscape plant diversity, floral phenology, floral area, and contribution to a stable ecological community.
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14
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Durant JL, Ponisio LC. A Regional, Honey Bee-Centered Approach Is Needed to Incentivize Grower Adoption of Bee-Friendly Practices in the Almond Industry. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2021.628802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Managed and wild bee populations contribute over $15 billion in pollination services to US agriculture, yet both are declining or becoming increasingly vulnerable to parasites and disease. The loss of healthy and diverse forage is a key driver in bee declines, so incentivizing land managers to adopt diversified bee-friendly management practices such as forage plantings and reduced pesticide use can directly increase food security, pollinator health, and farmer adaptive capacity. To better understand what might incentivize growers to adopt bee-friendly practices, we conducted a survey of California almond growers, whose orchards are entirely dependent on bee pollination and draw nearly 88% of US bee colonies each February to pollinate almond bloom. We asked 329 respondents across all major almond growing regions of CA about their adoption rate and incentives for planting cover crops, pollinator habitat, and practicing the recommended and legally required bee-friendly best management practices, as well as their interest in bee-friendly certification programs. Using a model selection framework, we evaluated which geographic, social, operational, and pollination-service related factors were predictive of bee-friendly practice adoption. We found that no single factor was a statistically significant predictor of adoption across all models, suggesting there is no silver bullet determining bee-friendly practice adoption. However, we discovered that region and concerns about future pollination services consistently emerged as important factors related to all the practices we investigated, except the adoption of legally required BMPs. These findings suggest that a regionally flexible pollinator conservation strategy focused on supporting honey bee colonies might have the highest likelihood of grower participation and adoption.
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15
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Pollinator interaction flexibility across scales affects patch colonization and occupancy. Nat Ecol Evol 2021; 5:787-793. [PMID: 33795853 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-021-01434-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Global change alters ecological communities and may disrupt ecological interactions and the provision of ecosystem functions. As ecological communities respond to global change, species may either go locally extinct or form novel interactions. To date, few studies have assessed how flexible species are in their interaction patterns, mainly due to the scarcity of data spanning long time series. Using a ten-year species-level dataset on the assembly of mutualistic networks from the Central Valley in California, we test whether interaction flexibility affects pollinators' colonization and persistence and their resulting habitat occupancy in a highly modified landscape. We propose three metrics of interaction flexibility associated with different scales of organization within ecological communities and explore which species' traits affect them. Our results provide empirical evidence linking species' ability to colonize habitat patches across a landscape to the role they play in networks. Phenological breadth and body size had contrasting effects on interaction flexibility. We demonstrate the relationship between mutualistic networks and species' ability to colonize and persist in the landscape, suggesting interaction flexibility as a potential mechanism for communities to maintain ecosystem function despite changes in community composition.
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Howlett B, Todd J, Willcox B, Rader R, Nelson W, Gee M, Schmidlin F, Read S, Walker M, Gibson D, Davidson M. Using non-bee and bee pollinator-plant species interactions to design diverse plantings benefiting crop pollination services. ADV ECOL RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.aecr.2020.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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17
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Rivers-Moore J, Andrieu E, Vialatte A, Ouin A. Wooded Semi-Natural Habitats Complement Permanent Grasslands in Supporting Wild Bee Diversity in Agricultural Landscapes. INSECTS 2020; 11:insects11110812. [PMID: 33218064 PMCID: PMC7698930 DOI: 10.3390/insects11110812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Loss of semi-natural habitats in agricultural landscapes negatively affects wild bees. These pollinators are, however, very important in agricultural landscapes as they enable the pollination of crops and wild plants. The aim of this study was thus to understand the respective roles of different wooded and herbaceous habitats in their ability to support a diversity of wild bees. We first found that wild bee communities differed between wooded and herbaceous habitats, some bee species being found in one type of habitat and not in the other. We also showed that wooded semi-natural habitats provide some species of pollen preferred by the bees. Finally, we found that in wooded habitats there are some interactions between plant and bee species that do not happen in permanent grasslands. However, the latter also plays an important role in the diversity of bees and plants, and these wooded and herbaceous habitats complement each other. Overall, our results underline the importance of maintaining a diversity of semi-natural habitats in agricultural landscapes to maintain a diversity of wild bees and thus promote the pollination of wild plants and crops. Abstract Loss of semi-natural habitats (SNH) in agricultural landscapes affects wild bees, often negatively. However, how bee communities respond varies and is still unclear. To date, few studies have used precise descriptors to understand these effects. Our aim was to understand the respective and complementary influences of different wooded and herbaceous habitats on wild bee communities. We selected thirty 500-m radius landscapes on a gradient of a percentage of wooded SNH in south-western France. At each landscape, we sampled wild bees in spring 2016 and plants in spring 2015 and 2016 at the forest edge, in a hedgerow, and in a permanent grassland. Pollen carried by the most abundant bee species was collected and identified. Using beta diversity indices, we showed that wild bee community composition differs between the three SNH types, and especially between herbaceous and wooded SNH. Based on Jacobs’ selection index, we showed that pollen of some plant species recorded in wooded SNH are preferentially selected by wild bees. Studying the impact of the loss of each SNH type on the global bee-pollen interaction network, we found that wooded SNH contributed to its resilience, enabling specific plant–bee interactions. Overall, our results underline the non-negligible contribution of wooded SNH to the diversity of wild bees in agricultural landscapes, and thus the importance of maintaining different types of SNH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine Rivers-Moore
- DYNAFOR, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, 31320 Castanet-Tolosan, France; (E.A.); (A.V.); (A.O.)
- LTSER Zone Atelier « PYRÉNÉES GARONNE », 31320 Auzeville-Tolosane, France
- Correspondence:
| | - Emilie Andrieu
- DYNAFOR, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, 31320 Castanet-Tolosan, France; (E.A.); (A.V.); (A.O.)
- LTSER Zone Atelier « PYRÉNÉES GARONNE », 31320 Auzeville-Tolosane, France
| | - Aude Vialatte
- DYNAFOR, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, 31320 Castanet-Tolosan, France; (E.A.); (A.V.); (A.O.)
- LTSER Zone Atelier « PYRÉNÉES GARONNE », 31320 Auzeville-Tolosane, France
| | - Annie Ouin
- DYNAFOR, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, 31320 Castanet-Tolosan, France; (E.A.); (A.V.); (A.O.)
- LTSER Zone Atelier « PYRÉNÉES GARONNE », 31320 Auzeville-Tolosane, France
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18
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Montgomery I, Caruso T, Reid N. Hedgerows as Ecosystems: Service Delivery, Management, and Restoration. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ECOLOGY, EVOLUTION, AND SYSTEMATICS 2020. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-012120-100346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Hedge density, structure, and function vary with primary production and slope gradient and are subject to other diverse factors. Hedgerows are emerging ecosystems with both above- and belowground components. Functions of hedges can be categorized as provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting ecosystem services; these functions include food production, noncrop food and wood production, firewood production, pollination, pest control, soil conservation and quality improvement, mitigation of water flux and availability, carbon sequestration, landscape connectivity and character maintenance, and contributions to biodiversity. Urban hedges provide a relatively equitable microclimate and critical connections between green spaces and enhance human health and well-being through contact with biodiversity. Soil and water conservation are well researched in tropical hedges but less is known about their contribution to pollination, pest control, and biodiversity. Establishing a minimum hedge width and longer intervals between cutting of temperate hedges would enhance biosecurity and promote carbon sequestration and biodiversity. Hedges have a global role in mitigating biodiversity loss and climate change, which restoration should maximize, notwithstanding regional character.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Montgomery
- Institute of Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom;,
| | - Tancredi Caruso
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Neil Reid
- Institute of Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom;,
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19
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Albrecht M, Kleijn D, Williams NM, Tschumi M, Blaauw BR, Bommarco R, Campbell AJ, Dainese M, Drummond FA, Entling MH, Ganser D, Arjen de Groot G, Goulson D, Grab H, Hamilton H, Herzog F, Isaacs R, Jacot K, Jeanneret P, Jonsson M, Knop E, Kremen C, Landis DA, Loeb GM, Marini L, McKerchar M, Morandin L, Pfister SC, Potts SG, Rundlöf M, Sardiñas H, Sciligo A, Thies C, Tscharntke T, Venturini E, Veromann E, Vollhardt IMG, Wäckers F, Ward K, Westbury DB, Wilby A, Woltz M, Wratten S, Sutter L. The effectiveness of flower strips and hedgerows on pest control, pollination services and crop yield: a quantitative synthesis. Ecol Lett 2020; 23:1488-1498. [PMID: 32808477 PMCID: PMC7540530 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Floral plantings are promoted to foster ecological intensification of agriculture through provisioning of ecosystem services. However, a comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of different floral plantings, their characteristics and consequences for crop yield is lacking. Here we quantified the impacts of flower strips and hedgerows on pest control (18 studies) and pollination services (17 studies) in adjacent crops in North America, Europe and New Zealand. Flower strips, but not hedgerows, enhanced pest control services in adjacent fields by 16% on average. However, effects on crop pollination and yield were more variable. Our synthesis identifies several important drivers of variability in effectiveness of plantings: pollination services declined exponentially with distance from plantings, and perennial and older flower strips with higher flowering plant diversity enhanced pollination more effectively. These findings provide promising pathways to optimise floral plantings to more effectively contribute to ecosystem service delivery and ecological intensification of agriculture in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Albrecht
- Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Reckenholzstrasse 191, Zurich, CH-8046, Switzerland
| | - David Kleijn
- Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 3a, Wageningen, 6708PB, The Netherlands
| | - Neal M Williams
- Department of Entomology and Nematology and Graduate Group in Ecology, University of California, Davis, One Shields Ave, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Matthias Tschumi
- Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Reckenholzstrasse 191, Zurich, CH-8046, Switzerland
| | - Brett R Blaauw
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602, USA
| | - Riccardo Bommarco
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 7044, Uppsala, 75007, Sweden
| | - Alistair J Campbell
- Laboratório de Entomologia, Embrapa Amazônia Oriental, Belém, Pará, CEP 66095-903, Brazil
| | - Matteo Dainese
- Institute for Alpine Environment, Eurac Research, Viale Druso 1, Bozen/Bolzano, 39100, Italy
| | - Francis A Drummond
- School of Biology And Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME, 04469, USA
| | - Martin H Entling
- iES Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Fortstr. 7, Landau, D-76829, Germany
| | - Dominik Ganser
- Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Reckenholzstrasse 191, Zurich, CH-8046, Switzerland.,University of Bern, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Baltzerstrasse 6, Bern, 3012, Switzerland
| | - G Arjen de Groot
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 47, Wageningen, 6700 AA, The Netherlands
| | - Dave Goulson
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, BN1 9QG, UK
| | - Heather Grab
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Geneva, NY, 14456, USA
| | - Hannah Hamilton
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, BN1 9QG, UK
| | - Felix Herzog
- Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Reckenholzstrasse 191, Zurich, CH-8046, Switzerland
| | - Rufus Isaacs
- Department of Entomology and EEBB Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Katja Jacot
- Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Reckenholzstrasse 191, Zurich, CH-8046, Switzerland
| | - Philippe Jeanneret
- Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Reckenholzstrasse 191, Zurich, CH-8046, Switzerland
| | - Mattias Jonsson
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 7044, Uppsala, 75007, Sweden
| | - Eva Knop
- Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Reckenholzstrasse 191, Zurich, CH-8046, Switzerland.,University of Bern, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Baltzerstrasse 6, Bern, 3012, Switzerland
| | - Claire Kremen
- Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, & Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Douglas A Landis
- Department of Entomology and Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Gregory M Loeb
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Geneva, NY, 14456, USA
| | - Lorenzo Marini
- DAFNAE, University of Padova, viale dell'Università 16, Padova, 35020, Italy
| | - Megan McKerchar
- Institute of Science & the Environment, University of Worcester, Worcester, UK
| | - Lora Morandin
- Pollinator Partnership, 475 Sansome Street, 17th Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94111, USA
| | - Sonja C Pfister
- iES Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Fortstr. 7, Landau, D-76829, Germany
| | - Simon G Potts
- Centre for Agri-Environmental Research, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, Reading University, Reading, RG6 6AR, UK
| | - Maj Rundlöf
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, 223 62, Sweden
| | - Hillary Sardiñas
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, 130 Mulford Hall, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Amber Sciligo
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, 130 Mulford Hall, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Carsten Thies
- Agroecology, Department of Crop Sciences, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Teja Tscharntke
- Agroecology, Department of Crop Sciences, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Eric Venturini
- Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine, 5784 York Complex, Suite 52, Orono, Maine, 04469, USA
| | - Eve Veromann
- Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 1, Tartu, 51006, Estonia
| | - Ines M G Vollhardt
- Agroecology, Department of Crop Sciences, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Felix Wäckers
- Lancaster Environnent Centre, Lancaster University, LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - Kimiora Ward
- Department of Entomology and Nematology and Graduate Group in Ecology, University of California, Davis, One Shields Ave, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Duncan B Westbury
- Institute of Science & the Environment, University of Worcester, Worcester, UK
| | - Andrew Wilby
- Lancaster Environnent Centre, Lancaster University, LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - Megan Woltz
- Department of Entomology and Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Steve Wratten
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln University, Lincoln, New Zealand
| | - Louis Sutter
- Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Reckenholzstrasse 191, Zurich, CH-8046, Switzerland
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20
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Lonsdorf EV, Koh I, Ricketts T. Partitioning private and external benefits of crop pollination services. PEOPLE AND NATURE 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Eric V. Lonsdorf
- Institute on the Environment University of Minnesota St Paul MN USA
- Gund Institute for Environment University of Vermont Burlington VT USA
| | - Insu Koh
- Gund Institute for Environment University of Vermont Burlington VT USA
| | - Taylor Ricketts
- Gund Institute for Environment University of Vermont Burlington VT USA
- Rubenstein School for Environment and Natural Resources University of Vermont Burlington VT USA
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21
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Ponisio LC. Pyrodiversity promotes interaction complementarity and population resistance. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:4431-4447. [PMID: 32489608 PMCID: PMC7246207 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Theory predicts that network characteristics may help anticipate how populations and communities respond to extreme climatic events, but local environmental context may also influence responses to extreme events. For example, altered fire regimes in many ecosystems may significantly affect the context for how species and communities respond to changing climate. In this study, I tested whether the responses of a pollinator community to extreme drought were influenced by the surrounding diversity of fire histories (pyrodiversity) which can influence their interaction networks via changing partner availability. I found that at the community level, pyrodiverse landscapes promote functional complementarity and generalization, but did not consistently enhance functional redundancy or resistance to simulated co-extinction cascades. Pyrodiversity instead supported flexible behaviors that enable populations to resist perturbations. Specifically, pollinators that can shift partners and network niches are better able to take advantage of the heterogeneity generated by pyrodiversity, thereby buffering pollinator populations against changes in plant abundances. These findings suggest that pyrodiversity is unlikely to improve community-level resistance to droughts, but instead promotes population resistance and community functionality. This study provides unique evidence that resistance to extreme climatic events depends on both network properties and historical environmental context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren C. Ponisio
- Department of EntomologyUniversity of California, RiversideRiversideCAUSA
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22
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Thomson DM, Page ML. The importance of competition between insect pollinators in the Anthropocene. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2020; 38:55-62. [PMID: 32145696 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2019.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Resource competition likely plays an important role in some insect pollinator declines and in shaping effects of environmental change on pollination services. Past research supports that competition for floral resources affects bee foragers, but mostly with observational evidence and rarely linking foraging with population change. An increasing number of studies ask whether resources limit pollinator populations, using field measurements of reproductive success, time series and models. Findings generally support positive effects of floral resources, but also highlight the potential importance of nest site availability and parasitism. In parallel, recent experiments strengthen evidence that competition reduces access to floral resources. Developing common currencies for quantifying floral resources and integrating analyses of multiple limiting factors will further strengthen our understanding of competitive interactions and their effects in the Anthropocene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diane M Thomson
- W.M. Keck Science Department, The Claremont Colleges, 925 N. Mills Avenue, Claremont, CA 91711, United States.
| | - Maureen L Page
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, United States
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23
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Abstract
Agroforestry can provide ecosystem services and benefits such as soil erosion control, microclimate modification for yield enhancement, economic diversification, livestock production and well-being, and water quality protection. Through increased structural and functional diversity in agricultural landscapes, agroforestry practices can also affect ecosystem services provided by insect pollinators. A literature review was conducted to synthesize information on how temperate agroforestry systems influence insect pollinators and their pollination services with particular focus on the role of trees and shrubs. Our review indicates that agroforestry practices can provide three overarching benefits for pollinators: (1) providing habitat including foraging resources and nesting or egg-laying sites, (2) enhancing site and landscape connectivity, and (3) mitigating pesticide exposure. In some cases, agroforestry practices may contribute to unintended consequences such as becoming a sink for pollinators, where they may have increased exposure to pesticide residue that can accumulate in agroforestry practices. Although there is some scientific evidence suggesting that agroforestry practices can enhance crop pollination and yield, more research needs to be conducted on a variety of crops to verify this ecosystem service. Through a more comprehensive understanding of the effects of agroforestry practices on pollinators and their key services, we can better design agroforestry systems to provide these benefits in addition to other desired ecosystem services.
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24
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Guzman A, Chase M, Kremen C. On-Farm Diversification in an Agriculturally-Dominated Landscape Positively Influences Specialist Pollinators. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2019.00087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
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25
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Ponisio LC, de Valpine P, M'Gonigle LK, Kremen C. Proximity of restored hedgerows interacts with local floral diversity and species' traits to shape long-term pollinator metacommunity dynamics. Ecol Lett 2019; 22:1048-1060. [PMID: 30938483 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Revised: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Disconnected habitat fragments are poor at supporting population and community persistence; restoration ecologists, therefore, advocate for the establishment of habitat networks across landscapes. Few empirical studies, however, have considered how networks of restored habitat patches affect metacommunity dynamics. Here, using a 10-year study on restored hedgerows and unrestored field margins within an intensive agricultural landscape, we integrate occupancy modelling with network theory to examine the interaction between local and landscape characteristics, habitat selection and dispersal in shaping pollinator metacommunity dynamics. We show that surrounding hedgerows and remnant habitat patches interact with the local floral diversity, bee diet breadth and bee body size to influence site occupancy, via colonisation and persistence dynamics. Florally diverse sites and generalist, small-bodied species are most important for maintaining metacommunity connectivity. By providing the first in-depth assessment of how a network of restored habitat influences long-term population dynamics, we confirm the conservation benefit of hedgerows for pollinator populations and demonstrate the importance of restoring and maintaining habitat networks within an inhospitable matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren C Ponisio
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside 417 Entomology Bldg., Riverside, 92521, CA, USA
| | - Perry de Valpine
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, 130 Mulford Hall, Berkeley, 94720, CA, USA
| | - Leithen K M'Gonigle
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada, V5A 1S6
| | - Claire Kremen
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, 130 Mulford Hall, Berkeley, 94720, CA, USA.,Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 1Z4
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