Podcast
Questions and Answers
What percentage of floral visits are attributed to Apis mellifera on average across all networks?
What percentage of floral visits are attributed to Apis mellifera on average across all networks?
Apis mellifera exclusively visits all plant species it encounters.
Apis mellifera exclusively visits all plant species it encounters.
False
How many plant species were part of the pollinator effectiveness measures conducted?
How many plant species were part of the pollinator effectiveness measures conducted?
34
Apis mellifera is the most frequent ________ in natural habitats worldwide.
Apis mellifera is the most frequent ________ in natural habitats worldwide.
Signup and view all the answers
In which climatic conditions was Apis mellifera visitation found to be higher?
In which climatic conditions was Apis mellifera visitation found to be higher?
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following conditions with the observed visitation of Apis mellifera:
Match the following conditions with the observed visitation of Apis mellifera:
Signup and view all the answers
Many flowering plant taxa are solely dependent on Apis mellifera for pollination.
Many flowering plant taxa are solely dependent on Apis mellifera for pollination.
Signup and view all the answers
What proportion of the networks showed no visitation by Apis mellifera?
What proportion of the networks showed no visitation by Apis mellifera?
Signup and view all the answers
What primary focus does the research mentioned in the content aim to address?
What primary focus does the research mentioned in the content aim to address?
Signup and view all the answers
Pollination networks do not include managed ecosystems such as agricultural areas.
Pollination networks do not include managed ecosystems such as agricultural areas.
Signup and view all the answers
What is meant by 'pollination networks' in the context of the content?
What is meant by 'pollination networks' in the context of the content?
Signup and view all the answers
Quantitative studies on pollination networks document the identity and frequency of each type of __________ visiting plant species.
Quantitative studies on pollination networks document the identity and frequency of each type of __________ visiting plant species.
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following components is NOT included in the quantitative pollination network studies?
Which of the following components is NOT included in the quantitative pollination network studies?
Signup and view all the answers
The studies mentioned focus only on social bees when examining pollinator interaction networks.
The studies mentioned focus only on social bees when examining pollinator interaction networks.
Signup and view all the answers
The research highlights an underused opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of __________ in natural habitats.
The research highlights an underused opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of __________ in natural habitats.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following terms related to pollination with their definitions:
Match the following terms related to pollination with their definitions:
Signup and view all the answers
What is one major consequence of invasive species on pollination networks according to the research?
What is one major consequence of invasive species on pollination networks according to the research?
Signup and view all the answers
Global pollinator declines have no impact on insect-pollinated plants.
Global pollinator declines have no impact on insect-pollinated plants.
Signup and view all the answers
What trend was observed in Pollinators and insect-pollinated plants in Britain and the Netherlands?
What trend was observed in Pollinators and insect-pollinated plants in Britain and the Netherlands?
Signup and view all the answers
The study by Potts et al. in 2010 discusses global _______ in pollinator populations.
The study by Potts et al. in 2010 discusses global _______ in pollinator populations.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following authors with their respective topics:
Match the following authors with their respective topics:
Signup and view all the answers
Which factor is NOT mentioned as influencing pollination effectiveness?
Which factor is NOT mentioned as influencing pollination effectiveness?
Signup and view all the answers
Endemic super generalists enhance pollination effectiveness in their respective communities.
Endemic super generalists enhance pollination effectiveness in their respective communities.
Signup and view all the answers
The research indicates that invasive species can lead to the _______ of native pollinator populations.
The research indicates that invasive species can lead to the _______ of native pollinator populations.
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Worldwide Importance of Honey Bees as Pollinators
- The western honeybee ( Apis mellifera) is the most common pollinator of crops globally, but its role in natural habitats is less understood
- A global dataset of 80 plant-pollinator interaction networks and pollinator effectiveness measures from 34 plant species were used to evaluate the importance of A. mellifera in natural habitats.
- A. mellifera visits an average of 13% of flowers across all networks, varying from 0% to 85%.
- In 5% of plant species, A. mellifera is the only documented visitor.
- While A. mellifera visitation is common, 33% of networks and 49% of plant species showed no A. mellifera visits, highlighting reliance on other pollinators.
- A. mellifera visitation is more frequent in warmer, less variable climates and on mainland rather than island sites. Native and introduced ranges did not differ in visitation rates.
- In terms of pollination effectiveness per visit, A. mellifera doesn't differ significantly from other non-A. mellifera pollinators, but it is less effective than the best non-A. mellifera pollinator.
- Understanding A. mellifera's role in natural habitats is important for ecosystem services, conservation efforts, and for potential population shifts/decline.
Methods
-
Database for network synthesis: Two approaches were used:
- A literature search using keywords related to pollination networks, and
- Downloading existing pollination network data from online databases.
- Data criteria: Networks were from largely unmanaged habitats, included at least five plant species, and a broad range of pollinators. Networks originating from distinct locations (<50 km apart) were considered separate. Data from multiple years of the same study site were pooled.
- Visitation frequency: Mean and median proportion of floral visits by A. mellifera were calculated for all networks and across plant species in 41 networks with A. mellifera records. Plant species with fewer than 10 visits were not excluded.
- Environmental correlates: A zero-inflated multiple beta regression model was built to link A. mellifera visitation to environmental variables. Bioclimatic data (temperature, precipitation), elevation, land type (mainland vs. island) and latitude/longitude were used.
- Pollination effectiveness: Literature searches found 32 studies describing A. mellifera pollination effectiveness. Where detailed data were unavailable, data from figures were extracted. The average effectiveness of A. mellifera visits was compared to the average performance and best performing pollinator.
Results
- Frequency and patterns: A. mellifera, globally, visited 88.89% of networks in its native range, and 61.29% in its introduced range. The average Apis mellifera visitation rate across all networks was 12.64 %.
- Environmental correlates: A. mellifera visits increased with higher overall temperature, isothermality, less temperature variation and less seasonality. Mainland networks had higher visitation compared to island networks. Native/introduced status of A. mellifera didn't significantly influence visitation rates.
- Pollination effectiveness: A. mellifera's single-visit pollination effectiveness was similar to other non-A. mellifera pollinators, but was generally less effective than the most effective non-A. mellifera pollinator. The effectiveness of A. mellifera did not differ between non-agricultural and agricultural plants.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Explore the critical role of the western honeybee (Apis mellifera) as a pollinator in both agricultural and natural ecosystems. This quiz delves into recent findings regarding its visitation rates and effectiveness across various plant species and different climates. Test your knowledge on how honeybees interact with their environment and the implications for biodiversity.
