INTERAÇÕES ENTRE PLANTAS E POLINIZADORES SOB UMA PERSPECTIVA TEMPORAL

Abstract

The success of biotic pollination depends on the synchronization of flowering periods and activity of the pollinators. This review aimed to compile and analyze publications addressing the main effects of temporal dynamics on plant-pollinator interactions at different scales. Factors such as period, intensity, and flowering timing influence plant-pollinator interactions. These may constitute strategies to optimize attractiveness and/or decrease of the competition for pollinators, consequently enhancing reproductive success. Studies on pollinators, mostly insects, focus on the seasonality throughout the year, mainly showing variations and increased activity of pollinators in the rainy season. Such variations can occur according to the characteristics of the biological cycles of the species, as well as in response to the availability of resources and climatic variables. Important structural properties of the plant-pollinator networks such as nestedness and conectance remain constant over the years. Despite this changes in the composition and richness of pollinator and plant species occur between years and alter the number and configuration of the links between them. This suggests that the structure of the pollination networks may be independent of species composition and the arrangement between them and the functionality of the pollination system can be maintained over time. Future research should investigate the causes of temporal variations in interactions between plants and pollinators. Especially those related to anthropic alterations aiming identify actions that can minimize human impact.