Elevational and seasonal patterns of plant pollinator networks in two highland tropical ecosystems in Costa Rica.

ABSTRACT: Many plant species in high montane ecosystems rely on animal pollination for sexual reproduction, however, our understanding of plant-pollinator interactions in tropical montane habitats is still limited. We compared species diversity and composition of blooming plants and floral visitors, and the structure of plant-floral visitor networks between the Montane Forest and Paramo ecosystems in Costa Rica. We also studied the influence of seasonality on species composition and interaction structure. Given the severe climatic conditions experienced by organisms in habitats above treeline, we expected lower plant and insect richness, as well as less specialized and smaller pollination networks in the Paramo than in Montane Forest where climatic conditions are milder and understory plants are bet

SUBMITTER: Cristobal-Perez EJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10783733 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature