Abstract
Abstract Functional traits mediate the response of communities to disturbances (response traits) and their contribution to ecosystem functions (effect traits). To predict how anthropogenic disturbances influence ecosystem services requires a dual approach including both trait concepts. Here, we used a response–effect trait conceptual framework to understand how local and landscape features affect pollinator functional diversity and pollination services in apple orchards. We worked in 110 apple orchards across four European regions. Orchards differed in management practices. Low‐intensity (LI) orchards were certified organic or followed close‐to‐organic practices. High‐intensity (HI) orchards followed integrated pest management practices. Within each management type, orchards encompassed a range of local (flower diversity, agri‐environmental structures) and landscape features (orchard and pollinator‐friendly habitat cover). We measured pollinator visitation rates and calculated trait composition metrics based on 10 pollinator traits. We used initial fruit set as a measure of pollination service. Some pollinator traits (body size and hairiness) were negatively related to orchard cover and positively affected by pollinator‐friendly habitat cover. Bee functional diversity was lower in HI orchards and decreased with increased landscape orchard cover. Pollination service was not associated with any particular trait but increased with pollinator trait diversity in LI orchards. As a result, LI orchards with high pollinator trait diversity reached levels of pollination service similar to those of HI orchards. Synthesis and applications. Pollinator functional diversity enables pollinator communities to respond to agricultural intensification and to increase pollination function. Our results show that efforts to promote biodiversity provide greater returns in low‐intensity than in high‐intensity orchards. The fact that low‐intensity orchards with high pollinator functional diversity reach levels of pollination services similar to those of high‐intensity orchards provides a compelling argument for the conversion of high‐intensity into low‐intensity farms.
Highlights
Environmental disturbances such as agricultural intensification alter ecosystem function through changes in functional composition of plant and animal communities (Larsen et al, 2005; McGill et al, 2006)
Orchards encompassed a range of local and landscape features
Our objectives were: (a) to identify functional metrics responding to environmental features and affecting pollination services; b) to establish whether traits that determine pollinator responses to changes in local and landscape factors overlap with traits that affect pollination; (c) to determine whether pollination services are dependent on certain pollinator functional traits and/or on trait diversity; (d) to establish whether the relationship between pollinator trait composition and pollination service is dependent on orchard management
Summary
Environmental disturbances such as agricultural intensification alter ecosystem function through changes in functional composition of plant and animal communities (Larsen et al, 2005; McGill et al, 2006). The increased use of pesticides associated with intensive agriculture has direct negative effects on pollinator fitness and survival (Woodcock et al, 2017) To reverse these effects and enhance on-farm biodiversity, agri-environmental measures have been promoted at both local and landscape scales (Primdahl et al, 2003). Studies analysing pollinator responses and effects simultaneously remain scarce (Bartomeus et al, 2018; Klein et al, 2008) To address this knowledge gap, we measured functional trait identity and diversity of apple pollinator assemblages in 110 orchards differing in management and in local and landscape features in four European apple- growing regions. Our objectives were: (a) to identify functional metrics responding to environmental features and affecting pollination services; b) to establish whether traits that determine pollinator responses to changes in local and landscape factors overlap with traits that affect pollination; (c) to determine whether pollination services are dependent on certain pollinator functional traits and/or on trait diversity; (d) to establish whether the relationship between pollinator trait composition and pollination service is dependent on orchard management
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
