A dataset of nectar sugar production for flowering plants found in urban green spaces

Abstract

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The Patterns of Intraspecific Variations in Mass of Nectar Sugar along a Phylogeny Distinguish Native from Non-Native Plants in Urban Greenspaces in Southern England

“…Evidence of interspecific variations in the quantity of nectar production is well established [ 27 , 28 , 56 , 57 ], ranging from 0.1–10 µL (for standing crops) to >650 µL (for columnar cacti and agaves; e.g., [ 56 ]). This interspecific variation is interpreted as adaptive strategy of flowering plants to pollinators [ 24 ].…”

“…Ref. [ 28 ] collected and published the data analyzed in the present study in Southern England in 2018–2019 in Ashley Down allotment, Brackenwood Plant and Garden Centre, Didcot town, Royal Horticultural Society Garden Wisley, Speldhurst village, University of Bristol Botanic Garden, University of Bristol Halls of Residence, and University of Bristol Royal Fort Gardens, UK. Specifically, the data were collected in public and private gardens, allotments, garden centers, hedges, and road verges as well as flower meadows in urban greenspaces such as ornamental borders and shrubberies, lawns, paths, and hard standings (see further details in [ 28 ]).…”

“…Data analyzed in the present study were retrieved from ref. [ 28 ] and comprised 225 flowering plants sampled between 2018 and 2019 in Southern England’s urban greenspaces.…”

“…Second, we retrieved data on nectar production by 225 flowering plants from ref. [ 28 ] that sampled plants at two to three locations. Prior to nectar measurement, ref.…”

“…Unfortunately, most of the available data on nectar production are from natural systems [ 24 , 25 , 26 ], making it impossible to investigate whether nectar production is a part of non-obvious or hidden criteria that inform human selection of non-native species that are to be introduced into a new environment. Interestingly, data on nectar production in man-made systems such as urban greenspaces are now emerging [ 27 , 28 ]. Indeed, in the context of an ever-declining population of pollinators [ 21 ], urban greenspaces are increasingly appreciated as hotspots of pollinators diversity [ 29 , 30 ].…”