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Impact of extreme events on pollinator assemblages
Hilary E Erenler1, Michael P Gillman2, Jeff Ollerton1
1Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology, University of Northampton, Waterside Campus, Northampton, NN1 5PH, UK.
Current Opinion in Insect Science
|February 24, 2020
Summary
Extreme events, termed SHOCK (Sudden, High-magnitude Opportunity for a Catastrophic 'Kick'), pose significant threats to insect pollinators. Understanding these events is crucial for pollinator conservation amidst ongoing environmental stressors.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Environmental Science
- Conservation Biology
Background:
- Insect pollinators face numerous threats impacting their survival.
- The effects of extreme environmental events on pollinator communities are understudied.
- Lack of consensus on defining extreme events and scarcity of pre-event data hinder research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and define a framework for understanding extreme events affecting insect pollinators.
- To categorize extreme events into natural, human-mediated, and human-enhanced types.
- To highlight the importance of studying these events for pollinator conservation.
Main Methods:
- Defining extreme events using the SHOCK (Sudden, High-magnitude Opportunity for a Catastrophic 'Kick') framework.
- Exploring selected extreme events from natural and human-mediated categories.
- Considering the impact of human-enhanced SHOCK events.
Main Results:
- The SHOCK framework provides a structured approach to analyzing extreme events.
- Categorization aids in differentiating the origins and impacts of extreme events.
- Human-enhanced SHOCKs represent a critical area for further investigation.
Conclusions:
- Extreme events significantly challenge insect pollinator populations.
- The SHOCK framework offers valuable insights into pollinator community dynamics.
- Further research into human-enhanced SHOCKs is essential for effective pollinator protection strategies.
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