| Abstract Detail
Annals of Botany Lecture - Anna Traveset Traveset, Anna [1]. Mutualistic networks in the Galápagos under pressure from aliens. Islands harbor much of the world’s threatened biodiversity, most of which is endangered by habitat degradation, over-exploitation and the introduction of alien invasive species. Increasing evidence confirms that it is not the decline of species diversity per se that scientists, conservationists, and restoration managers should be most concerned about, but rather the extinction of the interactions between organisms that ultimatly breathe life into ecosystems. Consequently, research on species interactions patterns has increased dramatically in recent years, mostly thanks to the implementation of network theory which facilitates the representation and interpretation of such complex Interaction networks. In this talk, I will present our findings on the dynamic structure of mutualistic (pollination and seed dispersal) networks in the Galapagos archipelago, and the mechanisms underlying the observed patterns. I will deep into the mechanisms whereby alien species infiltrate the mutualistic networks, examining whether partner fidelity differs between alien and native species and the community-level implications of such differences. Finally, I will discuss the potential cascading effects of invasive alien plants and insects on the native species and interactions.
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1 - Spanish Research Council, Imedea, C/ Miquel Marques 21, Esporles, 07190, Spain
Keywords:
none specified
Presentation Type: Special Presentation
Session: S6, Annals of Botany Special Lecture
Location: Fort Worth Ballroom 4/Omni Hotel
Date: Wednesday, June 28th, 2017
Time: 11:00 AM
Number: S6001
Abstract ID:595
Candidate for Awards:None |
