Florally rich habitats reduce insect pollination and the reproductive success of isolated plants.

ABSTRACT: Landscape heterogeneity in floral communities has the potential to modify pollinator behavior. Pollinator foraging varies with the diversity, abundance, and spatial configuration of floral resources. However, the implications of this variation for pollen transfer and ultimately the reproductive success of insect pollinated plants remains unclear, especially for species which are rare or isolated in the landscape. We used a landscape-scale experiment, coupled with microsatellite genotyping, to explore how the floral richness of habitats affected pollinator behavior and pollination effectiveness. Small arrays of the partially self-compatible plant Californian poppy (Eschscholzia californica) were introduced across a landscape gradient to simulate rare, spatially isolated populations.

SUBMITTER: Evans TM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5574791 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature