Flower diversity and bee reproduction in an arid ecosystem.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Diverse flower communities are more stable in floral resource production along the flowering season, but the question about how the diversity and stability of resources affect pollinator reproduction remains open. High plant diversity could favor short foraging trips, which in turn would enhance bee fitness. In addition to plant diversity, greater temporal stability of floral resources in diverse communities could favor pollinator fitness because such communities are likely to occupy the phenological space more broadly, increasing floral availability for pollinators throughout the season. In addition, this potential effect of flower diversity on bee reproduction could be stronger for generalist pollinators because they can use a broader floral spectrum. Based on above ar

SUBMITTER: Dorado J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4974926 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature