Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1016/j.flora.2023.152279
Licence creative commons licence
Title (Primary) Abiotic conditions affect nectar properties and flower visitation in four herbaceous plant species
Author Plos, C.; Stelbrink, N.; Römermann, C.; Knight, T.M.; Hensen, I.
Source Titel Flora
Year 2023
Department BZF; iDiv
Volume 303
Page From art. 152279
Language englisch
Topic T5 Future Landscapes
Data and Software links https://doi.org/10.25829/idiv.3520-a8m9v4
Supplements https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0367253023000695-mmc1.pdf
Keywords Botanical garden; Environmental factors; Flower traits; Nectar volume; Pollinators; Sucrose concentration
Abstract Both plant nectar production and insect activity are highly dependent on abiotic environmental conditions. Furthermore, the foraging behaviour of insect pollinators can be affected by nectar properties. In the context of climate change, it is important to understand how plant-pollinator interactions respond to temperature and other abiotic factors. We investigated the effect of natural variation in temperature and solar radiation on nectar quantity (nectar volume) and quality (sucrose concentration and sucrose mass) and on flower visitation rates in four herbaceous plant species (Dictamnus albus, Lamium album, Salvia officinalis, Vincetoxicum hirundinaria) in the Botanical Garden Halle (Germany). Temperature affected nectar properties in all four species. Solar radiation affected nectar quantity and quality in two species, most likely by affecting flower temperature. The number of flower visits was unimodally related to temperature for two species and positively related to solar radiation in another. The variable responses across plant species in the effects of abiotic factors on nectar properties and flower visitation patterns may be due to differences in flower shape and colour, to differences in the composition of flower visitors, or due to other unmeasured extrinsic factors that vary across patches where these species occur. Our study highlights the importance of considering direct and indirect effects of climate factors on pollinator visitation in multiple plant species.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=22633
Plos, C., Stelbrink, N., Römermann, C., Knight, T.M., Hensen, I. (2023):
Abiotic conditions affect nectar properties and flower visitation in four herbaceous plant species
Flora 303 , art. 152279 10.1016/j.flora.2023.152279