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77 results for “floral resource”
Floral resource availability and honeybee flower visitations in Oslo, Norway
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Data from: Linking landscape structure, floral resource distribution, pollen use, and movement distances of a generalist predator
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Floral resource strips enhance parasitoid abundance and diversity in apple orchards and promote agroecological advances in a South African biosphere reserve
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Behavioural and morphological traits influence sex-specific floral resource use by hummingbirds
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Data from: Reduced crop density increases floral resources to pollinators without affecting crop yield in organic and conventional fields
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Dryness, wetness and temporary flooding reduce floral resources of plant communities with adverse consequences for pollinator attraction
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Data from: On-site floral resources and surrounding landscape characteristics impact pollinator biodiversity at solar parks
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Seed mix design and floral resources drive multi-trophic interactions in prairie restoration
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Seasonality of floral resources in relation to bee activity in agroecosystems
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Bumble bees in landscapes with abundant floral resources have lower pathogen loads
AbstractThe pollination services provided by bees are essential for supporting natural and agricultural ecosystems. However, bee population declines have been documented across the world. Many of the factors known to undermine bee health (e.g., poor nutrition) can decrease immunocompetence and, thereby, increase bees' susceptibility to diseases. Given the myriad of stressors that can exacerbate disease in wild bee populations, assessments of the relative impact of landscape habitat conditions on bee pathogen prevalence are needed to effectively conserve pollinator populations. Herein, we assess how landscape-level conditions, including various metrics of floral/nesting resources, insecticides, weather, and honey bee (Apis mellifera) abundance, drive variation in wild bumble bee (Bombus impatiens) pathogen loads. Specifically, we screened 890 bumble bee workers from varied habitats in Pennsylvania, USA for three pathogens (deformed wing virus, black queen cell virus, and Vairimorpha (= Nosema) bombi), Defensin expression, and body size. Bumble bees collected within low-quality landscapes exhibited the highest pathogen loads, with spring floral resources and nesting habitat availability serving as the main drivers. We also found higher loads of pathogens where honey bee apiaries are more abundant, a positive relationship between Vairimorpha loads and rainfall, and differences in pathogens by geographic region. Collectively, our results highlight the need to support high-quality landscapes (i.e., those with abundant floral/nesting resources) to maintain healthy wild bee populations.
Data from: Phenology of farmland floral resources reveals seasonal gaps in nectar availability for bumblebees
Floral resources are known to be important in regulating wild pollinator populations and are therefore an important component of agri‐environment and restoration schemes which aim to support pollinators and their associated services. However, the phenology of floral resources is often overlooked in these schemes – a factor which may be limiting their success. Our study characterises and quantifies the phenology of nectar resources at the whole‐farm scale on replicate farms in Southwestern UK throughout the flowering season. We quantify the corresponding nectar demands of a subset of common wild pollinators (bumblebees) to compare nectar supply and pollinator demand throughout the year, thereby identifying periods of supply‐demand deficit. We record strong seasonal fluctuations in farmland nectar supplies, with two main peaks of nectar production (May and July) and a considerable 'June Gap' in‐between. March and August/September are also periods of low nectar availability. Comparing the phenology of nectar supply with the phenology of bumblebee nectar demand reveals 'hunger gaps' during March and much of August/September when supply is unlikely to meet demand. Permanent pasture and woodland produced the greatest share of farmland nectar because of their large area, however linear features such as hedgerows and field margins provided the greatest nectar per unit area. 50% of total nectar was supplied by just three species (Allium ursinum, Cirsium arvense and Trifolium repens), but some less productive species (e.g. Hedera helix and Taraxacum agg.) were important in ensuring phenological continuity of nectar supply. Synthesis and applications. By comparing the phenology of farmland nectar supply with the phenology of pollinator demand, we demonstrate that the timing of nectar supply may be as important as total nectar production in limiting farmland pollinator populations. Considering phenology in the design of agri‐environment or restoration schemes is therefore likely to improve their suitability for pollinators. Plant species which flower during periods of resource deficit (early spring and late summer) should be prioritised in schemes which aim to conserve or restore pollinator populations. Maintaining a range of semi‐natural habitats with complementary flowering phenologies (e.g. woodland, hedgerows and field‐margins) will ensure a more continuous supply of nectar on farmland, thereby supporting pollinators for their entire flight season.
Data from: Exotic flower visitors exploit large floral trait spaces resulting in asymmetric resource partitioning with native visitors
1.Exotic species often cause severe alterations in native communities due to their ability to rapidly and efficiently utilize a broad spectrum of resources. In flower-visitor interactions, the breadth of resource use by native and exotic animals as well as the partitioning of resources among them is often estimated based on the number of (shared) plant species used as resources. However, whether a flower visitor is able to exploit plant resources has been shown to be delimited by functional floral traits such as morphological barriers or attractive or repellent chemical cues. Each of the ecologically relevant traits can be viewed as a dimension of a Hutchinsonian n-dimensional hypervolume, which characterizes the range of phenotypes exploitable by a species. 2.In this study, we quantified the sizes and overlaps of n-dimensional hypervolumes defined by floral traits that are exploitable by native and exotic flower visitors (afterwards referred to as exploited space, ES). In the heavily invaded Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, USA, we phenotyped 40 native and exotic plant species and recorded flower-visitor interactions. To quantify the size and overlap of ES, we applied dynamic range boxes (dynRB). 3.On average, exotic flower visitors were more generalized in resource use (larger ES) than natives ones, which is additionally indicated by the absence of native flower visitors on exotic flowering plant species. In particular, ES based on floral scent emission was larger for exotic flower visitors compared to native ones. The unevenly expanded ES of native and exotic animals led to an asymmetric overlap of floral ES where the exotic flower visitors shared only a small proportion of their ES with natives but occupied a large proportion of the ES of natives. 4.The asymmetry in resource use of native and exotic flower visitors suggests a potential advantage in resource exploitation of the latter, potentially explaining their success in Hawaiian ecosystems. Predicted range expansion of exotic plant and animal species may further increase the competition for and reduce the availability of resources for native animals. This may lead to further declines of native species and increasing threats for Hawaiian ecosystems.
Data from: Resource- and pollinator-mediated selection on floral traits
Female reproductive success is predicted to be simultaneously limited by the availability of pollen and resources. Selection on floral traits results from both factors, but their relative importance and interaction is poorly understood. We increased nutrient and pollen availability of the orchid Dactylorhiza lapponica in a factorial experiment to quantify resource- and pollinator-mediated selection on floral traits. Hand-pollination increased female fitness (number of fruits × mean fruit mass) by 74% in both nutrient treatments, whereas nutrient addition did not significantly affect female fitness. There was selection for more flowers and longer spurs, and selection on spur length was significantly pollinator-mediated and of similar strength across nutrient treatments (Δβpoll = 0·54 and Δβpoll_NPK = 0·59). There was no statistically significant resource-mediated selection. Nutrient addition increased flower size the following year, but did not affect flower or fruit production, or selection on any trait. The results demonstrate that D. lapponica does not increase flower production in response to nutrient addition, that the increase in female fitness in response to hand-pollination is not resource limited, and suggest that natural resource variation does not influence selection on floral traits. The study illustrates that crossed manipulations of pollen and resources can clarify their relative importance for selection on floral traits.
Data from: Responses of social and solitary bees to pulsed floral resources
Pulsed food resources lead to mismatches between distribution of consumers and resources in space and time. Many studies have investigated how pollinators and floral resources covary in space, but few have looked at their covariance among years. I studied responses of two bee taxa, Bombus (a social genus) and Anthophora (a solitary genus), to variation in flowering by Astragalus scaphoides, a perennial herb that flowers in alternate years. First, I quantified the rate at which individual plants were visited by bees. Anthophora showed evidence of a demographic response to resource pulses—that is, more individuals were seen in the year after a high-flowering year—whereas Bombus did not. Second, I quantified pollinator behavior by following individual bees and recording the proportion of visits to A. scaphoides within single foraging bouts. The proportion of visits to A. scaphoides by both taxa increased with A. scaphoides's flowering density. Higher specialization in high-flowering years likely makes both taxa better pollinators in high-flowering years. If these taxa differ in effectiveness as pollinators, then these responses translate into variation in pollination services in space and time, specifically, more activity by Bombus in high-flowering years and more by Anthophora in years following high-flowering years. They also emphasize that pollinator activity depends in part on past—as well as current—floral resources.
Exploitative competition for floral resources reduces sugar intake but differently impacts the foraging behaviour of two non-bee flower visitors
<p>Identifying which behavioural strategies maximize individual fitness is a key objective in ecology. Organisms are known to adapt their foraging behaviour to their environment in response to abiotic and biotic constraints, such as the distribution of resources or the presence of competitors. For instance, bees are known to avoid recently visited flowers and thus focus their foraging on more rewarding patches. Whether other flower-visiting insects adapt their foraging behaviour in response to exploitative competition for floral resources remains unknown. Here, we asked if a predatory hoverfly (<em>Episyrphus balteatus</em>) and a parasitoid (<em>Aphidius colemani</em>) 1) are physiologically impacted by flower resource limitation following exploitation of flowers by a competitor (either the bumblebee <em>Bombus terrestris</em> or <em>E. balteatus</em>); 2) have the ability to discriminate flowers that were previously exploited by a competitor; and 3) modify their foraging behaviour accordingly. <em>Episyrphus balteatus </em>and <em>A. colemani</em> individuals foraging on previously exploited flowers were found to be less concentrated in sugar compounds, especially in fructose and glucose, suggesting that previously exploited flowers contained less available sugars. Nevertheless, individuals did not avoid previously exploited patches in the choice experiment. On the contrary, <em>E. balteatus </em>females preferentially landed on inflorescences that had previously been exploited by conspecifics (but not by <em>B. terrestris</em>), while <em>A. colemani </em>did not show preferences between inflorescences. However, female hoverflies spent more time feeding on unexploited patches, suggesting that exploited patches were resource limited. To our knowledge, this study provides the first evidence of the use of social cues among <em>E. balteatus </em>individuals in food foraging strategies. It also shows that even insects with tiny nectar requirements, such as parasitoids, can suffer from heavy exploitative competition. Such results may have applied consequences for the understanding of natural enemy conservation, in particular in agroecosystems where competition with honeybees may be important.</p>
Data from: Floral resource diversification promotes solitary bee reproduction and may offset insecticide effects – evidence from a semi-field experiment
<p class="HeadingFK">Pollinator declines in agricultural landscapes are driven by multiple stressors, but potential interactions of these remain poorly studied. Using a highly replicated semi-field study with 56 mesocosms of varying wild plant diversity (2-16 species) and oilseed rape treated with a neonicotinoid, we tested the interacting effects of resource diversity and insecticides on reproduction of a solitary wild bee. Compared to mesocosms with oilseed rape monocultures, availability of resources from wild plants complementing oilseed rape doubled brood cell production. In addition, bee reproduction increased due to plant diversity and identity effects. Exposure to neonicotinoid-treated oilseed rape reduced bee larval to adult development by 69%, but only in mesocosms with oilseed rape monocultures. Availability of complementary flower resources can thus offset negative effects of neonicotinoid-treated oilseed rape on wild bee reproduction. Policy should encourage the implementation of diverse floral resources mitigating negative effects of crop monocultures and insecticides, thereby sustaining solitary bee populations in agricultural landscapes.</p>
Spatially discrete disturbance processes enhance grassland floral resources
<p>Grasslands provide essential floral resources for both managed and wild pollinators. However, grassland flowers in remaining native landscapes are threatened due to nonnative plant invasions and alterations to historic disturbance regimes such as fire and grazing. The potential for managed disturbance to promote grassland floral resources remains unclear. Fire and grazing historically occurred interactively, but uniform application of each may be a detriment to floral resources and the pollinators depending on them. Though fire can increase resources available to plants and stimulate flowering, it initially destroys floral resources and may delay flower availability. Similarly, grazing removes competitors of flowering plants, but destroys flower heads.</p> <p>To address this knowledge gap, we investigated the impacts patch-burn grazing with one and two seasons of fire per year versus season-long grazing with no fire on floral resources in mixed-grass prairie. In patch-burn treatments, part of each pasture is burned each year, which focuses grazing activity due to the high quality regrowth. We aimed to use fire to remove litter around flowering plants while also sheltering established flower heads from grazing pressure by directing cattle away from regenerating forbs in unburned portions of the landscape. Over two summers, we performed weekly flower surveys in season-long grazing and patch-burn grazing pastures. We analyzed total seasonal floral resources, maximum floral abundance, and seasonal species richness between treatments.</p> <p>Over two years, we surveyed 1,238,241 ramets of 160 species, focusing on 36 common species for individual analysis. We found broad positive associations between patch-burn grazing and total seasonal flower abundance, maximum flower abundance, and species richness compared to traditional management. In most cases, patch-burn grazing with dormant and growing season fires produced higher floral abundance, total seasonal floral resources, and species richness than patch-burning with dormant season fires alone, suggesting benefits of increased levels of pyrodiversity.</p> <p>Synthesis and applications: Under increasing pressure to manage for declining pollinators, rangeland managers must consider strategies to enhance floral resources within the context of livestock production goals. The spatiotemporal interaction of cattle grazing and fire shows promise for promoting floral resource abundance and diversity.</p>
Richness and abundance of both butterflies and floral resources in residential gardens across southwestern Melbourne, Australia's greater metropolitan area
<p><span>Wildlife gardening is a popular activity undertaken within residential areas. It is broadly promoted as a means of encouraging residents to make their gardens more 'wildlife friendly'. While theory and anecdotal evidence suggest these schemes should be effective, quantitative evaluation of wildlife gardening practices and programs is lacking across most taxa they target. </span></p> <p><span>Our overall objective in collecting this data was to determine if there was a difference in butterfly richness or abundance between gardens managed and not managed to benefit wildlife. </span>To test this, the data were collected at two spatial scales: landscape level representing our 500x500 m sampling cells and garden level representing our wildlife and traditional residential gardens. At the landscape level, butterfly and floral data were collected along a 1-km long Pollard walk through the sampling cell. At the garden level<span> we conducted point counts for butterflies in residential gardens participating in a wildlife gardening program and compared them to non-participating control gardens within the same sampling cell and from areas not targeted by the gardening program. At both levels we counted floral resources and calculated tree cover (%) within the surrounding landscape as both are important potential resources for butterflies within the landscape. The amount </span>(%) of impervious surface cover within the entire sampling cell and within the landscape surrounding each garden was also measured as it is known to have a negative effect on the butterfly community. </p>
Data for: Biogeographic history predicts bee community structure across floral resource gradients in southeast Australia
<p><strong><span>Aim:</span></strong><span> Plants populations are declining in their native ranges around the globe through the expansion of agriculture, urbanization, and plant invasions. We test the hypothesis that animal species that have spent more of their evolutionary history in a region are more dependent on native plants, particularly those plants that have spent more of their evolutionary history in the region, and are therefore more negatively impacted by native plant decline. </span></p> <p><strong><span>Location:</span></strong><span><strong> </strong>Yarra Valley landscapes, Australia</span></p> <p><strong><span>Methods</span></strong><span><strong>:</strong> We test the presence and pattern of phylogenetic signal in native bee community responses to local flower density of ancient Australian plant lineages and the amount of native vegetation in the surrounding landscape across farm and native vegetation sites. We also test phylogenetic signal in the frequency of bee visitation to flowers from ancient Australian plant lineages. We compare the patterns of phylogenetic signal to the current understanding of bee biogeographic histories to evaluate our hypothesis. </span></p> <p><strong><span>Results:</span></strong><span> There was significant phylogenetic signal in responses to flower density of plants from ancient Australian lineages, and the frequency of visitation to these flowers, with most species from the ancient Australian bee clade being positively associated with these flowers. This is consistent with our hypothesis. Significant phylogenetic signal in response to native vegetation in the surrounding landscape was driven primarily by the more recently arrived bee linages, with ancient lineages able to persist on some farms where ancient Australian flowers were present (e.g. on roadsides). </span></p> <p><strong><span>Main conclusions:</span></strong><span> Bee species that have spent more of their evolutionary history in Australia are more dependent on ancient Australian plant lineages and so most negatively impacted by the decline of these plants. This may be a broader phenomenon because phylogenetic conservatism in host plant use, the main assumption underlying our hypothesis, is common among herbivorous arthropods (~500,000 species).</span></p>
Data from: Local and landscape-level floral resources explain effects of wildflower strips on wild bees across four European countries
1. Growing evidence for declines in wild bees calls for the development and implementation of effective mitigation measures. Enhancing floral resources is a widely accepted measure for promoting bees in agricultural landscapes, but effectiveness varies considerably between landscapes and regions. We hypothesize that this variation is mainly driven by a combination of the direct effects of measures on local floral resources and the availability of floral resources in the surrounding landscape. 2. To test this, we established wildflower strips in four European countries, using the same seed mixture of forage plants specifically targeted at bees. We used a before–after control–impact approach to analyse the impacts of wildflower strips on bumblebees, solitary bees and Red List species and examined to what extent effects were affected by local and landscape-wide floral resource availability, land-use intensity and landscape complexity. 3. Wildflower strips generally enhanced local bee abundance and richness, including Red-listed species. Effectiveness of the wildflower strips increased with the local contrast in flower richness created by the strips and furthermore depended on the availability of floral resources in the surrounding landscape, with different patterns for solitary bees and bumblebees. Effects on solitary bees appeared to decrease with increasing amount of late-season alternative floral resources in the landscape, whereas effects on bumblebees increased with increasing early-season landscape-wide floral resource availability. 4. Synthesis and applications. Our study shows that the effects of wildflower strips on bees are largely driven by the extent to which local flower richness is increased. The effectiveness of this measure could therefore be enhanced by maximizing the number of bee forage species in seed mixtures, and by management regimes that effectively maintain flower richness in the strips through the years. In addition, for bumblebees specifically, our study highlights the importance of a continuous supply of food resources throughout the season. Measures that enhance early-season landscape-wide floral resource availability, such as the cultivation of oilseed rape, can benefit bumblebees by providing the essential resources for colony establishment and growth in spring. Further research is required to determine whether, and under what conditions, wildflower strips result in actual population-level effects.
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Allen Brain Atlas
Allen Brain Atlas is an Allen Institute collection of brain map atlases, datasets, APIs, and analysis tools covering mouse, human, and non-human primate brain resources.
Annotated Behaviour and Observability Dataset (ABODe)
ABODe is a University of Edinburgh DataShare dataset for behavior classification in group-housed mice using home-cage video, identities, bounding boxes, ground-plate positions, and annotator labels.
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The International Brain Laboratory public data releases expose standardized mouse decision-making experiments, including Neuropixels recordings, widefield calcium imaging, behavior, and session metadata accessed through the ONE API.
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