Chin J Plant Ecol ›› 2022, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (7): 775-784.DOI: 10.17521/cjpe.2021.0281

• Research Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Pollination network and seasonal dynamics of Yangshan Wetland in Hainan Island, China

ZENG Kai-Na1,2, SUN Hao-Ran1,2, SHEN Yi-Chun1, REN Ming-Xun1,2,*()   

  1. 1Key Laboratory of Genetics and Germplasm Innovation of Tropical Special Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants (Hainan University), Ministry of Education, Haikou 570228, China
    2Center for Eco-Environmental Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, Haikou 570228, China
  • Received:2021-08-02 Accepted:2022-01-14 Online:2022-07-20 Published:2022-06-09
  • Contact: REN Ming-Xun
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China(41871041)

Abstract:

Aims Wetland is a typical ecotone between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, with very high levels of habitat heterogeneity and biodiversity. The complex community structure and species interactions may have unusual pollination networks as compared to other ecosystems such as meadows and forests, which will affect species coexistence and community assembly. Our objective was to determine the pollination network and its seasonal dynamics in a tropical wetland.

Methods In this research, we studied pollination networks in four plots of Yangshan Wetland on Hainan Island, in dry seasons (May) and rainy seasons (August) respectively. Two 10-m-long walked line transects were set in each plot to sample pollination events. Both pollinators and their visitation times on each flower (plant) were recorded to determine the pollination networks.

Important findings The results showed that the species of plants and pollinators in the dry season were richer than that in the rainy season. The pollination network structure was not different between two seasons, and the visitation relationship between plant and pollinator species was relatively stable in the two seasons. There was no seasonal difference in connectance, nestedness and network specialization (H2) on pollination network. The nestedness and H2 of Plot 4 with higher species diversity fluctuated less in seasonal dynamic, and species relationships was stable in the community of 4 plots.

Key words: wetland, pollination adaptation, species diversity, conservation, edge effect