Pollination ecology in the tropical Andes: moving towards a cross-scale approach

Cristina Rueda Uribe* (Corresponding Author), Alexander Chautá, Tamsin Lucy Woodman, Eloisa Lasso, Roxibell C. Pelayo, Laura Milena Manrique-Garzon, Marcia C. Muñoz, Rebekka Allgayer, Tia Lynn Ashman, Greta Bocedi, David Burslem, Pedro A. Camargo-Martínez, María Ángela Echeverry-Galvis, Catalina González-Arango, Cecile Gubry-Rangin, Lesley Lancaster, Kara Layton, Fabio Manfredini, Carlos Martel, Lia MonttiAlexander S.T. Papadopulos, Robert A. Raguso, Jonathan Ready, Alejandro Rico-Guevara, Camila Gabriela Rocabado-Peñanco, Justin Travis

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Plant-pollinator interactions structure ecological communities and represent a key component of ecosystem functioning. Pollination networks are expected to be more diverse and specialised in the tropics, but pollination ecology in these regions has been understudied in comparison to other areas. We reviewed research on pollination in the tropical Andes, one of the major biodiversity hotspots on Earth, where the uplift of the mountains and past climate have resulted in spatiotemporally distinct species interactions. We found 1,015 scientific articles on pollination in the Andes, of which 477 include or are carried out in tropical regions. The number of publications on pollination ecology in the tropical Andes has increased exponentially, with Colombia having more articles, followed by Ecuador and Peru, and Bolivia and Venezuela having notably fewer studies. More research has been carried out in humid montane forests and agricultural landscapes, and it has predominantly focused on describing diversity of species and interactions while neglecting analyses on the resilience and adaptability of pollinating systems, even though the Andean region is particularly prone to the effects of climate change and continues to undergo land conversion and degradation. Remarkably few studies have incorporated local knowledge, thus ignoring connections to human livelihoods and communities. A phytocentric perspective has been predominant, with fewer studies focusing directly on pollinators and a notable lack of articles with a holistic approach to the study of pollination across taxonomic groups at the community or ecosystem level. We propose that future research adopts a cross-scale approach that considers the complexity of the ecological contexts in which plant-pollinator interactions occur, and it incorporates long-term monitoring with broader multilayer networks and molecular tools, experiments focused on ecophysiology and behaviour, animal telemetry, process-modelling approaches and participatory science. A stronger field driven by interdisciplinary collaborations will contribute to the knowledge about pollination at a global scale, as well as increase our understanding of the diversity and resilience of pollination interactions in the region, thus improving our capacity to predict and avoid ecosystem collapses.
Original languageEnglish
JournalBiological Reviews
Publication statusAccepted/In press - 6 May 2025

Bibliographical note

This work began in the workshop on high mountain pollination ecology of the CAMINOS group in Guasca, Colombia in March 2023. We thank all the people who made this meeting possible, especially those who worked in nature reserves, the workshop venue, transportation and Parque Nacional Natural Chingaza. Additionally, we are very grateful to Mauricio Restrepo and Isabella Capellini for suggestions during writing, the photographers who contributed beautiful pictures, and Xiaoping Fan for help with Figure 6.

Data Availability Statement

Data is available as supplementary material.

Funding

This work was supported by funding from the UKRI Natural Environment Research Council (NE/S007377/1 to C.R.-U.), UKRI Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BB/T00875X/1 to T.L.W. and BB/Y514172/1 to J.M.J.T.), Science Faculty of the Universidad de los Andes in Colombia (C.G.A. research program 2023-2025), National Research System (SNI) in Panama (to E.L.), Royal Society (URF150571 to C.G.-R.), Walt Halperin Endowed Professorship, Dept. of Biology, University of Washington (to A.R.-G.), and Washington Research Foundation as Distinguished Investigator (to A.R.-G).

FundersFunder number
Natural Environment Research CouncilNE/S007377/1
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research CouncilBB/T00875X/1, BB/Y514172/1

    Keywords

    • biotic interactions
    • ecosystem functioning
    • ecological monitoring
    • plant-pollinatir networks
    • South America

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