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Specialist nectar-yeasts decline with urbanization in Berlin
Jeannine Wehner1,2, Moritz Mittelbach1,2, Matthias C Rillig1,2
1Dahlem Center of Plant Sciences, Plant Ecology, Institut für Biologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Scientific Reports
|March 31, 2017
Summary
Urbanization impacts nectar yeast distribution, with pollution favoring generalist species over specialists. This suggests urban environments may limit the movement of nectar-specialized yeasts by affecting pollinator behavior.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Microbiology
- Urban Ecology
Background:
- Nectar yeasts are vital symbionts in insect-pollinated flowers.
- Understanding the factors influencing nectar yeast distribution is crucial for ecological studies.
- Urbanization presents unique environmental pressures that may affect microbial communities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of host plant identity, urbanization, and proximity to beehives on nectar yeast distribution.
- To determine how environmental factors like pollution and soil sealing affect nectar yeast communities.
- To assess the impact of urbanization on specialist versus generalist nectar yeast species.
Main Methods:
- Nectar samples were collected from Robinia pseudoacacia and Tilia tomentosa in Berlin, Germany.
- Yeast morphotypes were visualized on YM-Agar and identified via 26S rDNA gene sequencing.
- Multivariate linear models analyzed the effects of host identity, environmental factors, and beehive distance on yeast occurrence.
Main Results:
- Yeast distribution was primarily determined by host plant identity.
- Environmental factors (NO2, construction height, soil sealing) showed radius-dependent effects.
- Specialist nectar yeast species declined with increasing urbanization, replaced by generalist species.
Conclusions:
- Urbanization significantly alters nectar yeast community composition.
- Increased urbanization may restrict the dispersal of nectar-specialized yeasts due to limited pollinator foraging.
- Host plant identity plays a key role in structuring nectar yeast populations within urban landscapes.
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