Title
Nitrogen, Community Traits and Pathogens in Pollinator Networks
Description
Wild pollinators suffer global declines. Nitrogen (N) deposition and pathogen spillover from managed bees are two key drivers, but the exact mechanisms and the extent of their impacts on wild pollinators is unclear. NECTAPOLL will assess how these factors drive declines in wild pollinators by looking at the effects at both the species and the community level.
N-deposition alters plant communities, possibly reducing quality and quantity of pollen and nectar, and hence reducing bee fitness. We will monitor the plant community and analyse pollen and nectar quality in selected plant species along an N-deposition gradient. Additionally, we will look at how N alters the structure of plant-pollinator interactions.
Pathogen risk will be assessed by comparing pathogen load in wild pollinator species along a wide gradient in phylogeny and functional traits. At the community level, species composition and honeybee abundance will be assessed as factors driving pathogen prevalence
