Global warming and plant–pollinator mismatches

Abstract

The mutualism between plants and their pollinators provides globally important ecosystem services, but it is likely to be disrupted by global warming that can cause mismatches between both halves of this interaction. In this review, we summarise the available evidence on (i) spatial or (ii) phenological shifts of one or both of the actors of this mutualism. While the occurrence of future spatial mismatches is predominantly theoretical and based on predictive models, there is growing empirical evidence of phenological mismatches occurring at the present day. Mismatches may also occur when pollinators and their host plants are still found together. These mismatches can arise due to (iii) morphological modifications and (iv) disruptions to host attraction and foraging behaviours, and it is expected that these mismatches will lead to novel community assemblages. Overall plant–pollinator interactions seem to be resilient biological networks, particularly because generalist species can buffer these changes due to their plastic behaviour. However, we currently lack information on where and why spatial mismatches do occur and how they impact the fitness of plants and pollinators, in order to fully assess if adaptive evolutionary changes can keep pace with global warming predictions.

Species‐specific responses to combined water stress and increasing temperatures in two bee‐pollinated congeners (Echium, Boraginaceae)

“…At 21°C and 24°C, the WUE of E. plantagineum increased and photosynthetic activity was maintained, suggesting that carbohydrate production was also maintained. Even so, the total nectar sugar con- recognition (attractiveness linked to nectar production, VOCs emission) mismatches (Gérard, Vanderplanck, Wood, & Michez, 2020).…”

Climate‐induced distribution dynamics of Plebeia flavocincta, a stingless bee from Brazilian tropical dry forests

“…Recently, das Chagas, Lucas, and de Almeida Vieira (2020) projected a potential reduction in the climatically suitable areas for M. tenuiflora when comparing the current and the future (2070) scenarios. The reduction of climatically suitable areas was discussed as potentially causing spatial incompatibility in pollination interactions (Gérard, Vanderplanck, Wood, & Michez, 2020). However, little is known about climate change impact on plant–bee interactions (but see Giannini et al., 2013); moreover, species' ability to adapt and persist is often neglected.…”

Wildlife conservation strategies should incorporate both taxon identity and geographical context ‐ further evidence with bumblebees

“…At the global scale however, plant–pollinator interactions are increasingly at risk of disruption from human activities (Dalsgaard, 2020; Memmot, Craze, Waser, & Price, 2007). Shifts in forb and pollinator phenologies leading to temporal mismatches, non‐random species extinctions and loss of spatial co‐occurrences between interacting plant–pollinator species constitute key causes of their decline (Burkle, Marlin, & Knight, 2013; Carvell et al., 2017; Gérard, Vanderplanck, Wood, & Michez, 2020; Schleuning et al., 2016).…”