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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Plant-hummingbird interaction networks in urban areas: Generalization and the importance of trees with specialized flowers as a nectar resource for pollinator conservation

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Author(s):
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Maruyama, Pietro Kiyoshi [1, 2] ; Bonizario, Camila [2] ; Marcon, Amanda Perin [3] ; D'Angelo, Giulia [4] ; da Silva, Monique Maianne [5] ; da Silva Neto, Edvaldo Nunes [5] ; Oliveira, Paulo Eugenio [2] ; Sazima, Ivan [6] ; Sazima, Marlies [1] ; Vizentin-Bugoni, Jeferson [7] ; dos Anjos, Luiz [8] ; Rui, Ana M. ; Marcal Junior, Oswaldo [2]
Total Authors: 13
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Biol, Dept Biol Vegetal, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil
[2] Univ Fed Uberlandia, Inst Biol, Campus Umuarama Bloco 2D, BR-38405302 Uberlandia, MG - Brazil
[3] Univ Fed Pelotas, Inst Biol, BR-96160000 Capao Do Leao, RS - Brazil
[4] Univ Estadual Campinas, Dept Biol Anim, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil
[5] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Ecol & Biol Evolut, BR-13565905 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil
[6] Univ Estadual Campinas, Museu Zool, Caixa Postal 6109, BR-13083863 Campinas, SP - Brazil
[7] Univ Illinois, Nat Resources & Environm Sci Dept, Urbana, IL 61801 - USA
[8] Univ Estadual Londrina, Dept Biol Anim & Vegetal, Caixa Postal 6001, BR-86051970 Londrina, PR - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 8
Document type: Journal article
Source: Biological Conservation; v. 230, p. 187-194, FEB 2019.
Web of Science Citations: 0
Abstract

Cities harbour considerable biodiversity and there has been an increased concern about the conservation of pollinators in urban environments. Here, we evaluated how urbanization affects plant-hummingbird interactions at two spatial scales. First, in a medium-sized city from southeastern Brazil ( > 600,000 inhabitants), we contrasted interaction networks from urban and natural areas, and used artificial nectar feeder stations to evaluate changes in the composition of hummingbird assemblages across an urbanization gradient. Second, we compiled data on six urban plant-hummingbird interaction networks from south and southeastern Brazil to identify the characteristics associated with the most important plants. Locally, urbanization affected hummingbird communities by promoting higher generalization and dominance by more aggressive hummingbirds. Notably, specialized long-billed hermits were absent both in the urban interaction network and at feeder stations from more urbanized areas. Across networks, trees were more important for hummingbirds than shrubs/herbs as were specialized ornithophilous flowers in relation to non-ornithophilous flowers. Plant origin (native or exotic) did not matter. Our results indicate that urban plant-hummingbird communities are organized differently than their counterparts from natural areas, which usually feature key hermits and few trees. Since hermits provide important pollination services, especially for specialized ornithophilous plants, initiatives such as green corridors and preference for native plants with specialized hummingbird-pollinated flowers in urban landscaping may contribute to community restoration and ecosystem functioning. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 15/21457-4 - Linking macroecological patterns in ecological networks to functional traits of species: plant-hummingbird networks across the Americas
Grantee:Pietro Kiyoshi Maruyama Mendonça
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral