Pollen Limitation in the Alpine: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

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Mixed Mating in Homostylous Species: Genetic and Experimental Evidence from an Alpine Plant with Variable Herkogamy,Primula halleri

“…Rather, our results seem to corroborate García-Camacho and Totland's (2009) demonstration that there is no evidence for assuming that self-compatibility in the alpine generally relieves pollen limitation. At the same time, P. halleri does not entirely reflect a clear evolutionary trajectory in line with the increased pollination probability hypothesis through increased floral display either.…”

Incomplete trimorphic incompatibility expression in Oxalis compacta Gill. ex Hook. et Arn. subsp. compacta in the central Chilean Andes

“…In accordance with these conditions, major community studies in the South American Andes (18°S, 33°S and 50°S) have revealed an overall altitudinal decline in flower visitation rates above the tree line to the extent of a 50% decrease in pollinator availability between the two altitudinal extremes of the alpine belt (Arroyo et al 1985, Arroyo & Squeo 1990. Pollen limitation, moreover, has been reported in many alpine species (García-Camacho & Totland 2009), including for one in the lower alpine on our study sites . This general scenario fits the autogamous fertility insurance hypothesis where low or unreliable pollination service is seen to favor selfcompatibility coupled with capacity for unassisted selfpollination (Kalisz & Vogler 2003).…”

Plasticity of flower longevity in alpine plants is increased in populations from high elevation compared to low elevation populations

“…However, hand-pollinations did not increase seed number, suggesting environmental constraints limiting seed production in this population. Resource rather than pollen limitation for plant reproduction is not uncommon in alpine environments and has been found for numerous other alpine species (Cambell and Hamala 2003;Totland 1997;Eide 1999, see GarciaCamacho andTotland 2009 for a more general discussion). Further, Kudo and Molau (1999)found similar fertilization rates, but significantly higher seed abortion rates when comparing high elevation with low elevation populations of Astragulus alpinus L. in northern Sweden.…”

“…In high arctic and alpine environments pollinator diversity, abundance and activity is often low due to unfavorable conditions for insect life (Arroyo et al 1982(Arroyo et al , 1985Warren et al 1988;McCall and Primack 1992;Totland 1994b;Bingham and Orthner 1998;Blionis and Vokou 2001) leading to highly variable and often scarce pollination success. Because of the commonly strong pollen limitation of reproduction in alpine plants (Billings 1974;Stenström and Molau 1992;Elberling 2001;Totland and Sottocornola 2001;Lundemo and Totland 2007; but see Totland 1997;Totland and Eide 1999;Totland 2001;Garcia-Camacho and Totland 2009), flower longevity often increases with increasing elevation (Arroyo et al 1981;Primack 1985;Bingham and Orthner 1998;Blionis and Vokou 2001;Fabbro and Körner 2004;Giblin 2005;AEgisdottir and Thorhallsdottir 2006;Lundemo and Totland 2007). Contrasting results, however, due to alternative pollination strategies (Arroyo et al 2006) or specific pollinator behavior (Duan et al 2007) suggest that variation in flower longevity is highly context-dependent, but few studies have directly characterized the actual pollination environment.…”