Relating geographical variation in pollination types to environmental and spatial factors using novel statistical methods
2006
Kühn, Ingolf | Bierman, Stijn Martinus | Durka, Walter | Klotz, Stefan
• The relative frequencies of functional traits of plant species show notable spatial variation, which is often related to environmental factors. Pollination type (insect‐, wind‐ or self‐pollination) is a critical trait for plant reproduction and provision of ecosystem services. • Here, we mapped the distribution of pollination types across Germany by combining databases on plant distribution and plant pollination types. Applying a new method, we modelled the composition of pollination types using a set of 12 environmental variables as predictors within a Bayesian framework which allows for the analysis of compositional data in the presence of spatial autocorrelation. • A clear biogeographical pattern in the distribution of pollination types was revealed which was adequately captured by our model. The most striking relationship was a relative increase in insect‐pollination and a corresponding decrease of selfing with increasing altitude. Further important factors were wind speed, geology and land use. • We present a powerful tool to analyse the distribution patterns of plant functional types such as pollination types and their relationship with environmental parameters in a spatially explicit framework.
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