Premium
Relating geographical variation in pollination types to environmental and spatial factors using novel statistical methods
Author(s) -
Kühn Ingolf,
Bierman Stijn Martinus,
Durka Walter,
Klotz Stefan
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2006.01811.x
Subject(s) - pollination , biology , selfing , zoophily , ecology , pollinator , pollen , population , demography , sociology
Summary• The relative frequencies of functional traits of plant species show notable spatial variation, which is often related to environmental factors. Pollination type (insect‐, wind‐ or self‐pollination) is a critical trait for plant reproduction and provision of ecosystem services. • Here, we mapped the distribution of pollination types across Germany by combining databases on plant distribution and plant pollination types. Applying a new method, we modelled the composition of pollination types using a set of 12 environmental variables as predictors within a Bayesian framework which allows for the analysis of compositional data in the presence of spatial autocorrelation. • A clear biogeographical pattern in the distribution of pollination types was revealed which was adequately captured by our model. The most striking relationship was a relative increase in insect‐pollination and a corresponding decrease of selfing with increasing altitude. Further important factors were wind speed, geology and land use. • We present a powerful tool to analyse the distribution patterns of plant functional types such as pollination types and their relationship with environmental parameters in a spatially explicit framework.