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Meta-analysis reveals that pollinator functional diversity and abundance enhance crop pollination and yield

Author

Listed:
  • B. A. Woodcock

    (NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Crowmarsh Gifford)

  • M. P. D. Garratt

    (University of Reading)

  • G. D. Powney

    (NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Crowmarsh Gifford)

  • R. F. Shaw

    (University of Exeter)

  • J. L. Osborne

    (University of Exeter)

  • J. Soroka

    (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada/Government of Canada)

  • S. A. M. Lindström

    (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    Lund University
    Swedish Rural Economy and Agricultural Society)

  • D. Stanley

    (National University of Ireland)

  • P. Ouvrard

    (University Catholique do Louvain, ELIA)

  • M. E. Edwards

    (Leaside, Carron Lane)

  • F. Jauker

    (Justus Liebig University)

  • M. E. McCracken

    (NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Crowmarsh Gifford)

  • Y. Zou

    (Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University)

  • S. G. Potts

    (University of Reading)

  • M. Rundlöf

    (Lund University)

  • J. A. Noriega

    (National Museum of Natural Science)

  • A. Greenop

    (NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Crowmarsh Gifford)

  • H. G. Smith

    (Lund University
    Lund University)

  • R. Bommarco

    (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences)

  • W. Werf

    (Wageningen University)

  • J. C. Stout

    (Trinity College Dublin)

  • I. Steffan-Dewenter

    (University of Würzburg)

  • L. Morandin

    (Pollinator Partnership Canada)

  • J. M. Bullock

    (NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Crowmarsh Gifford)

  • R. F. Pywell

    (NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Crowmarsh Gifford)

Abstract

How insects promote crop pollination remains poorly understood in terms of the contribution of functional trait differences between species. We used meta-analyses to test for correlations between community abundance, species richness and functional trait metrics with oilseed rape yield, a globally important crop. While overall abundance is consistently important in predicting yield, functional divergence between species traits also showed a positive correlation. This result supports the complementarity hypothesis that pollination function is maintained by non-overlapping trait distributions. In artificially constructed communities (mesocosms), species richness is positively correlated with yield, although this effect is not seen under field conditions. As traits of the dominant species do not predict yield above that attributed to the effect of abundance alone, we find no evidence in support of the mass ratio hypothesis. Management practices increasing not just pollinator abundance, but also functional divergence, could benefit oilseed rape agriculture.

Suggested Citation

  • B. A. Woodcock & M. P. D. Garratt & G. D. Powney & R. F. Shaw & J. L. Osborne & J. Soroka & S. A. M. Lindström & D. Stanley & P. Ouvrard & M. E. Edwards & F. Jauker & M. E. McCracken & Y. Zou & S. G. , 2019. "Meta-analysis reveals that pollinator functional diversity and abundance enhance crop pollination and yield," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-09393-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09393-6
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    Cited by:

    1. Perennes, Marie & Diekötter, Tim & Groß, Jens & Burkhard, Benjamin, 2021. "A hierarchical framework for mapping pollination ecosystem service potential at the local scale," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 444(C).
    2. Francisco Rubén Badenes-Pérez, 2022. "Benefits of Insect Pollination in Brassicaceae: A Meta-Analysis of Self-Compatible and Self-Incompatible Crop Species," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-24, March.
    3. Elena Gazzea & Péter Batáry & Lorenzo Marini, 2023. "Global meta-analysis shows reduced quality of food crops under inadequate animal pollination," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.
    4. Manuela Giovanetti & Sergio Albertazzi & Simone Flaminio & Rosa Ranalli & Laura Bortolotti & Marino Quaranta, 2021. "Pollination in Agroecosystems: A Review of the Conceptual Framework with a View to Sound Monitoring," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-19, May.
    5. de la Riva, Enrique G. & Ulrich, Werner & Batáry, Péter & Baudry, Julia & Beaumelle, Léa & Bucher, Roman & Čerevková, Andrea & Felipe-Lucia, María R. & Gallé, Róbert & Kesse-Guyot, Emmanuelle & Rembia, 2023. "From functional diversity to human well-being: A conceptual framework for agroecosystem sustainability," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).
    6. Xiaohui Wang & Yao Wu & Kiril Manevski & Manqi Fu & Xiaogang Yin & Fu Chen, 2021. "A Framework for the Heterogeneity and Ecosystem Services of Farmland Landscapes: An Integrative Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-17, November.
    7. Faure, Jérôme & Mouysset, Lauriane & Gaba, Sabrina, 2023. "Combining incentives with collective action to provide pollination and a bundle of ecosystem services in farmland," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 63(C).

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