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A meta-analysis of predation risk effects on pollinator behaviour
Gustavo Q Romero1, Pablo A P Antiqueira, Julia Koricheva
1Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil. gq_romero@yahoo.com.br
Plos One
|June 23, 2011
Summary
Predators significantly reduce pollinator activity, decreasing flower visitation and time spent foraging. These effects vary by pollinator type, with larger pollinators showing less response to predation risk.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Behavioral Ecology
- Conservation Biology
Background:
- Flower-visiting animals face constant predation risk while foraging.
- Behavioral adaptations to mitigate predation risk are expected in pollinators.
- Understanding predator-pollinator interactions is crucial for community ecology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the overall effects of predators on pollinator behavior.
- To examine sources of variation in predator effects on pollinators.
- To investigate the role of predator and pollinator characteristics in mediating these interactions.
Main Methods:
- A meta-analysis of published and unpublished data on predator effects on pollinator behavior.
- Statistical analysis to determine the significance and magnitude of predator effects.
- Examination of variation in predator effects based on predator taxa, foraging mode, pollinator lifestyle, pollinator size, and predator presentation.
Main Results:
- Predation risk significantly decreased flower visitation rates (36%) and time spent on flowers (51%) by pollinators.
- Predator effects did not depend on predator taxa, foraging mode, or pollinator lifestyle.
- Effects varied among pollinator taxa (Diptera were not affected), with larger pollinators showing weaker responses. Predator crypsis showed some effectiveness.
Conclusions:
- Predation risk substantially alters pollinator foraging behavior, impacting pollination services.
- Pollinator traits (e.g., size, taxonomic group) and predator characteristics (e.g., crypsis) influence the strength of predator effects.
- A community-level perspective considering both predator and pollinator traits is essential for understanding these ecological dynamics.
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