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Dryad

Data from: Plant-pollinator interactions over 120 years: loss of species, co-occurrence, and function

Cite this dataset

Burkle, Laura A.; Marlin, John C.; Knight, Tiffany M. (2013). Data from: Plant-pollinator interactions over 120 years: loss of species, co-occurrence, and function [Dataset]. Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.rp321

Abstract

Using historic data sets, we quantified the degree to which global change over 120 years disrupted plant-pollinator interactions in a temperate forest understory community in Illinois, USA. We found degradation of interaction network structure and function and extirpation of 50% of bee species. Network changes can be attributed to shifts in forb and bee phenologies resulting in temporal mismatches, nonrandom species extinctions, and loss of spatial co-occurrences between extant species in modified landscapes. Quantity and quality of pollination services have declined through time. The historic network showed flexibility in response to disturbance; however, our data suggest that networks will be less resilient to future changes.

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