Meta-analysis of pollen limitation reveals the relevance of pollination generalization in the Atlantic forest of Brazil.

ABSTRACT: Despite the extensive knowledge of pollen limitation in angiosperms, its assessment within tropical forests is still limited. Especially lacking are large scale comparisons of species within this biome - one that is highly diverse but also becoming increasingly threatened. In fact, many tropical plant species depend upon pollinators for reproduction but evaluation of the impact of this dependence via different levels of pollination specialization has yet to be made at the biome scale. We assessed the occurrence and magnitude of pollen limitation for species in the Brazilian Atlantic forest and tested the association of pollination specialization, breeding system, and life habit with pollination efficiency. We compiled data from studies published between 1985 and 2012. We calculated species

SUBMITTER: Wolowski M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3931788 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature