Plant-pollinator interactions in coastal sand dune communities in Yucatan, Mexico
Preserving biodiversity is a major challenge due to the rapid increase in human-mediated disturbances. The Yucatan Peninsula has been particularly affected by growing urbanization and an a rapid increase in plant species invasion. We are interested in understanding the relationship between different levels of diversity to inform conservation strategies in this fragile ecosystem. Functional diversity can increase the resilience, productivity and stability of the ecosystem. Loss of functional diversity can also result in the loss of species interactions that are key for ecosystem function. Understanding the relationship among different levels of diversity is thus crucial in order to preserve long-term ecosystem function. In our study we are using 15 plant-pollinator communities along the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula to evaluate the relationship among taxonomic, functional and interaction diversity and assess their importance for pollination and plant reproductive success.
Relevant Publications
Albor C, García‐Franco JG, Parra‐Tabla V, Díaz‐Castelazo C, Arceo‐Gómez G. 2019. Taxonomic and functional diversity of the co‐flowering community differentially affect Cakile edentula pollination at different spatial scales . Journal of Ecology In press.
Angulo DF., Tun-Garrido J., Arceo-Gómez G., Munguía-Rosas MA., Parra-Tabla V. 2018. Patterns of phylogenetic community structure of sand dune plant communities in the Yucatan Peninsula the role of deterministic and stochastic processes in community assembly. Plant Ecology and Diversity. In press
Alonso C., Arceo-Gómez G., Meindl G.A., Parra-Tabla V., Ashman T-L. 2016. Delimiting plant diversity that is functionally related via interactions with diurnal pollinators: An expanded use of rarefaction curves. Flora. In press.
Post-pollination interactions
and co-flowering community assembly
In the lab we are interested in evaluating the role of plant-plant interactions that occur via heterospecific pollen transfer in mediating the assembly of co-flowering communities. While positive (facilitation) and negative (competition) plant-plant interactions via pollinators have been shown to play a major role in the assembly of co-flowering communities, the role of post-pollination interactions that take place on the stigma have been less studied. Post-pollination interactions via heterospecific pollen transfer have the potential to exacerbate the effects of plant interactions that take place through changes in pollinator visitation rate. Currently we are working in trying to understand the effects and drivers of post-pollination interactions in serpentine seep communities in northern California and their importance in mediating co-flowering community assembly.
Relevant Publications
Arceo-Gómez G. Kaczorowski R,, Ashman T-L. 2018. A network approach to understanding patterns of co-flowering in diverse communities. International Journal of Plant Sciences. In Press.
Arceo-Gómez G., Kaczorowski RL., Patel C., Ashman T-L. 2019. Interactive effects between donor and recipient species mediate fitness costs of heterospecific pollen receipt in a co-flowering community . Oecologia In press.
Arceo-Gómez G., Ashman T-L. 2016. Invasion status and phylogenetic relatedness predict cost of heterospecific pollen receipt: implications for native biodiversity decline. Journal of Ecology 104: 1003-1008.
Ashman T-L., Arceo-Gómez G. 2013. Toward a predictive understanding of the fitness costs of heterospecific pollen receipt and its importance in co-flowering communities. American Journal of Botany 100: 1061-1070.
Arceo-Gómez G., Ashman T-L. 2014. Coflowering community context influences female fitness and alters the adaptive value of flower longevity in Mimulus guttatus. The American Naturalist 183: E50-E63.
Evolutionary consequences of Heterospecific pollen transfer in diverse co-flowering communities
Recent studies have shown that heterospecifc pollen transfer among plant species can be more frequent and intense than previously thought. However, these studies have also revealed high levels of among- and within-species variation in the frequency and intensity of heterospecific pollen receipt, and the causes underlying this variation remain unknown. In the lab we are interested in describing patterns of pollen transfer dynamics, its fitness effects, as well as its role as a selective force in nature. We are particularly interested in evaluating the role that avoidance and tolerance (to HP receipt) strategies play in underlying patterns of heterospecific pollen transfer observed in natural communities.
Relevant Publications
Arceo-Gómez G. Alonso C., Ashman T-L., Parra-Tabla V. 2018. Variation in sampling effort affects the observed richness of plant-plant interactions via heterospecific pollen transfer: implications for interpretation of pollen transfer networks. American Journal of Botany. In Press.
Arceo-Gómez G., Abdala-Roberts L., Jankowiak A., Kohler C., Meindl G. A., Navarro-Fernández C., Parra-Tabla V., Ashman T-L., Alonso C. 2016. Patterns of among- and within-species variation in heterospecific pollen receipt: the importance of ecological generalization. American Journal of Botany 103: 396-407.
Arceo-Gómez G., Raguso R., Geber M. 2015. Can plants evolve tolerance mechanisms to heterospecific pollen effects? An experimental test of the adaptive potential in Clarkia species. Oikos 125: 718-725.
Arceo-Gómez G., Ashman T-L. 2011. Heterospecific pollen deposition: does diversity alter the consequences? New Phytologist 192: 738-746.