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Interannual bumble bee abundance is driven by indirect climate effects on floral resource phenology
Author(s) -
Ogilvie Jane E.,
Griffin Sean R.,
Gezon Zachariah J.,
Inouye Brian D.,
Underwood Nora,
Inouye David W.,
Irwin Rebecca E.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
ecology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.852
H-Index - 265
eISSN - 1461-0248
pISSN - 1461-023X
DOI - 10.1111/ele.12854
Subject(s) - phenology , climate change , ecology , pollinator , abundance (ecology) , ecosystem , biology , population , resource (disambiguation) , global warming , pollination , pollen , demography , computer network , computer science , sociology
Climate change can influence consumer populations both directly, by affecting survival and reproduction, and indirectly, by altering resources. However, little is known about the relative importance of direct and indirect effects, particularly for species important to ecosystem functioning, like pollinators. We used structural equation modelling to test the importance of direct and indirect (via floral resources) climate effects on the interannual abundance of three subalpine bumble bee species. In addition, we used long‐term data to examine how climate and floral resources have changed over time. Over 8 years, bee abundances were driven primarily by the indirect effects of climate on the temporal distribution of floral resources. Over 43 years, aspects of floral phenology changed in ways that indicate species‐specific effects on bees. Our study suggests that climate‐driven alterations in floral resource phenology can play a critical role in governing bee population responses to global change.