Plant trait variation along pollinator availability gradients in Scanian grasslands
(2024) BION02 20212Degree Projects in Biology
- Abstract
- Flowering plants depend on pollinators for reproduction, and this entails selection on plant traits linked to phenology, attractiveness and pollination efficiency. Current environmental changes are however acting upon both parties, which in turn affects the interactions between them. In order to better understand how these changes manifest, this study looked at five plant species in semi-natural grasslands in Southern Sweden, focusing on plant trait variation and correlation and their relation to pollinator availability. The results showed similar patterns for the different species, with spatially structured variation, very variable flower numbers and nectar concentrations, and more stable plant and flower sizes. Pollinator availability... (More)
- Flowering plants depend on pollinators for reproduction, and this entails selection on plant traits linked to phenology, attractiveness and pollination efficiency. Current environmental changes are however acting upon both parties, which in turn affects the interactions between them. In order to better understand how these changes manifest, this study looked at five plant species in semi-natural grasslands in Southern Sweden, focusing on plant trait variation and correlation and their relation to pollinator availability. The results showed similar patterns for the different species, with spatially structured variation, very variable flower numbers and nectar concentrations, and more stable plant and flower sizes. Pollinator availability influenced flower numbers in two species, but in opposite directions. These findings suggest that plant phenology may be affected by pollinator declines, and more research is needed to unravel their interactions in the light of environmental changes. (Less)
- Popular Abstract
- Plant trait variation in regard to pollinator availability
Flowering plants depend on pollinators for reproduction, and plant traits are therefore under selection based on their attractiveness to pollinators. Trait expression can also be influenced by environmental factors and competition with other plants. Environmental changes are however threatening both plants and insects, and their relationship is consequently also at risk.
In semi-natural grasslands in southern Sweden, we measured various traits in five plant species and recorded pollinator availability, to find out how much plant traits varied, how they were linked to each other, and if pollinators influenced them.
Trait variation
We found that plant, leaf, and flower... (More) - Plant trait variation in regard to pollinator availability
Flowering plants depend on pollinators for reproduction, and plant traits are therefore under selection based on their attractiveness to pollinators. Trait expression can also be influenced by environmental factors and competition with other plants. Environmental changes are however threatening both plants and insects, and their relationship is consequently also at risk.
In semi-natural grasslands in southern Sweden, we measured various traits in five plant species and recorded pollinator availability, to find out how much plant traits varied, how they were linked to each other, and if pollinators influenced them.
Trait variation
We found that plant, leaf, and flower size were quite stable, while the number of flowers and the concentration of nectar they produced were much more variable. While the individual plants’ micro-environment largely influenced trait variation in these species, the general landscape also contributed significantly.
Trait correlation
For all species, the traits could be grouped into strongly correlated categories: vegetative function (plant size, leaf size, leaf number), flower size, flower numbers and nectar concentration. Most traits were positively correlated, indicating an absence of trade-offs in the traits we measured. This could imply that it was a low-stress year for these plants, or it could mean that there were trade-offs with traits we did not measure or that they were masked by external factors like nutrient availability.
Trait relation to pollinator availability
For two species, pollinator availability had a significant impact on the number of flowers, but in opposite directions: when there were more pollinators, one species had more flowers while the other had fewer. This suggests a difference in terms of quantity vs quality for their investment in seed production.
To summarise, the results showed that both the plants’ micro-environment and the broader landscape significantly affected their trait expression, that these traits presented patterns in how variable and correlated they were, and that pollinator declines might cause plants to change in various ways. More research is needed to understand how these changes occur and the impacts this will have on ecosystems.
Master’s Degree Project in Conservation Biology, 45 credits, 2024
Department of Biology, Lund University
Supervisors: Yann Clough, Veronica Hederström, Theresia Krausl (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9150431
- author
- Denamur, Estelle
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- BION02 20212
- year
- 2024
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- language
- English
- id
- 9150431
- date added to LUP
- 2024-04-02 13:53:25
- date last changed
- 2024-04-02 13:53:25
@misc{9150431,
abstract = {{Flowering plants depend on pollinators for reproduction, and this entails selection on plant traits linked to phenology, attractiveness and pollination efficiency. Current environmental changes are however acting upon both parties, which in turn affects the interactions between them. In order to better understand how these changes manifest, this study looked at five plant species in semi-natural grasslands in Southern Sweden, focusing on plant trait variation and correlation and their relation to pollinator availability. The results showed similar patterns for the different species, with spatially structured variation, very variable flower numbers and nectar concentrations, and more stable plant and flower sizes. Pollinator availability influenced flower numbers in two species, but in opposite directions. These findings suggest that plant phenology may be affected by pollinator declines, and more research is needed to unravel their interactions in the light of environmental changes.}},
author = {{Denamur, Estelle}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Plant trait variation along pollinator availability gradients in Scanian grasslands}},
year = {{2024}},
}