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Land‐use impacts on plant–pollinator networks: interaction strength and specialization predict pollinator declines
Author(s) -
Weiner Christiane Natalie,
Werner Michael,
Linsenmair Karl Eduard,
Blüthgen Nico
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.144
H-Index - 294
eISSN - 1939-9170
pISSN - 0012-9658
DOI - 10.1890/13-0436.1
Subject(s) - pollinator , generalist and specialist species , ecology , extinction (optical mineralogy) , ecosystem , pollination , ecological network , biology , biodiversity , species diversity , habitat , pollen , paleontology
Land use is known to reduce the diversity of species and complexity of biotic interactions. In theory, interaction networks can be used to predict the sensitivity of species against co‐extinction, but this has rarely been applied to real ecosystems facing variable land‐use impacts. We investigated plant–pollinator networks on 119 grasslands that varied quantitatively in management regime, yielding 25 401 visits by 741 pollinator species on 166 plant species. Species‐specific plant and pollinator responses to land use were significantly predicted by the weighted average land‐use response of each species' partners. Moreover, more specialized pollinators were more vulnerable than generalists. Both predictions are based on the relative interaction strengths provided by the observed interaction network. Losses in flower and pollinator diversity were linked, and mutual dependence between plants and pollinators accelerates the observed parallel declines in response to land‐use intensification. Our findings confirm that ecological networks help to predict natural community responses to disturbance and possible secondary extinctions.