Effects of Urbanization on Flowering Phenology, Pollination, and Reproductive Success in the Chiropterophilous Tropical Tree Ceiba pentandra

Résumé fourni par la source

Urbanization often negatively impacts pollinator abundance and richness; however, its effects on pollination components and plant reproductive success are highly variable. Previous research efforts have also shown geographic and taxonomical bias, with non-insect pollinated plant species in tropical cities underrepresented in the literature. Although bats represent the most persistent mammal group in urban ecosystems, studies addressing the effect of urbanization on chiropterophilous plants are scarce. Here, we addressed the impacts of urbanization on flowering phenology, quantitative and qualitative components of pollination, and reproductive success in the chiropterophilous tree Ceiba pentandra in two major tropical cities of Yucatan Peninsula. We found that urbanization has led to earlier flowering phenology; however, no effect of urbanization was detected in the quantitative and qualitative components of pollination. Finally, the effects of urbanization on the reproductive success of C. pentandra were mixed. While marginally negative effects of urbanization were found in fruit set, positive effects were found in seed germination. Thus, these positive effects may offset the negative impact on reproductive success. These findings suggest that urban pollinators can provide similar levels of pollination services and thus lead to comparable reproductive success in C. pentandra in the forests and cities.

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