Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1098/rspb.2016.0561
Title (Primary) Pollination services enhanced with urbanization despite increasing pollinator parasitism
Author Theodorou, P.; Radzevičiūtė, R.; Settele, J.; Schweiger, O.; Murray, T.E.; Paxton, R.J.
Source Titel Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences
Year 2016
Department BZF; iDiv
Volume 283
Issue 1833
Page From art. 20160561
Language englisch
Keywords Bombus; Crithidia bombi; Nosema bombi; local habitat; land-use change; plant–animal interactions
UFZ wide themes RU1;
Abstract Animal-mediated pollination is required for the reproduction of the majority of angiosperms, and pollinators are therefore essential for ecosystem functioning and the economy. Two major threats to insect pollinators are anthropogenic land-use change and the spread of pathogens, whose effects may interact to impact pollination. Here, we investigated the relative effects on the ecosystem service of pollination of (i) land-use change brought on by agriculture and urbanization as well as (ii) the prevalence of pollinator parasites, using experimental insect pollinator-dependent plant species in natural pollinator communities. We found that pollinator habitat (i.e. availability of nesting resources for ground-nesting bees and local flower richness) was strongly related to flower visitation rates at the local scale and indirectly influenced plant pollination success. At the landscape scale, pollination was positively related to urbanization, both directly and indirectly via elevated visitation rates. Bumblebees were the most abundant pollinator group visiting experimental flowers. Prevalence of trypanosomatids, such as the common bumblebee parasite Crithidia bombi, was higher in urban compared with agricultural areas, a relationship which was mediated through higher Bombus abundance. Yet, we did not find any top-down, negative effects of bumblebee parasitism on pollination. We conclude that urban areas can be places of high transmission of both pollen and pathogens.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=17585
Theodorou, P., Radzevičiūtė, R., Settele, J., Schweiger, O., Murray, T.E., Paxton, R.J. (2016):
Pollination services enhanced with urbanization despite increasing pollinator parasitism
Proc. R. Soc. B-Biol. Sci. 283 (1833), art. 20160561 10.1098/rspb.2016.0561