Search Results (232)

Environmental change is reshaping ecological communities, yet conservation efforts often continue to focus on protecting species rather than the interactions that sustain biodiversity. Butterfly–plant interaction networks include well-studied systems that are an important component of biodiversity and can be foundational for examining how ecological relationships respond to climate change, habitat alteration, species introductions, restoration, and conservation management. Most studies of these interactions rely on observational records, plant use data, pollen load evidence, and historical specimens to reconstruct how butterflies use plant communities and how these relationships vary across environmental contexts. However, these studies remain scattered across disparate ecosystems, and network data have not been integrated to explain how butterfly–plant interactions are reorganized under environmental change. Here, we synthesize the literature to evaluate how butterfly–plant interactions are reshaped by environmental change in the United States. The evidence indicates that the most impactful environmental change drivers include: increases in temperature, drought, extreme weather, habitat fragmentation, land use change, species introductions, and conservation interventions. These environmental change parameters alter butterfly–plant interactions through partner shifts, temporal mismatch, reduced plant resource diversity, altered plant availability, weakening of specialized links, and increased reliance on generalist plant species. Strong shifts in butterfly–plant interactions may occur even when butterfly and plant species remain present and even abundant, making interaction loss an early signal of ecological change. A network perspective is useful because it can reveal whether specialized or rare butterfly–plant links persist or whether environmental stress shifts communities toward interactions in which butterflies utilize fewer widely used plant resources or plants are reliant on fewer species of butterflies. By integrating observational evidence, historical specimen-based pollen records, restoration contexts, and network analysis, this review provides an interaction-centered framework for understanding and conserving butterfly–plant relationships in changing environments, with implications for ecological sustainability. Full article

Western Siberia is one of the largest high-latitude lowland peatland regions on Earth and stores vast amounts of organic carbon in landscapes where vegetation, hydrology and fire are strongly regulated by permafrost. However, the long-term interactions among fire disturbance, permafrost dynamics, peatland development and forest–mire vegetation change remain insufficiently resolved. Here, we reconstructed regional vegetation dynamics, local mire succession, permafrost evolution and fire activity in the subarctic Pur–Taz interfluve, Western Siberia, during the Early to Middle Holocene from 11.2 to 4.4 cal kyr BP. The study combines pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs, microcharcoal records, principal component analysis and comparison with modern surface-sample analogues. The record documents a transition from Early Holocene larch–birch forest-tundra with no close modern analogue to increasingly heterogeneous forest–mire and shrub-tundra landscapes. After 9.5 cal kyr BP, Betula pubescens declined and Picea obovata pollen increased, with the strongest spruce signal between ca. 5.5 and 4.7 cal kyr BP. However, this pattern did not necessarily reflect a uniform regional expansion of spruce. Integrated fire reconstruction, based on microcharcoal peaks, Gelasinospora-type and declines in Betula pubescens-type pollen, indicates that recurrent fires after 8.0 cal kyr BP preferentially affected well-drained birch–larch uplands, whereas wetter riparian habitats acted as refugia for spruce. This landscape contrast increased the relative contribution of Picea pollen from fire-protected valleys, producing an apparent, partly artefactual spruce expansion signal. Locally, an open lake present at 11.2 cal kyr BP was transformed into a peatland after ca. 9.7 cal kyr BP. Cooling associated with the 8.2 cal kyr BP event promoted permafrost aggradation and polygonal mire initiation, whereas subsequent thaw and subsidence favoured waterlogging and mesotrophic fen development. Repeated alternation between permafrost aggradation, oligotrophication, degradation and renewed waterlogging culminated in polygonal microrelief by 6.1–5.3 cal kyr BP. These results show that Holocene vegetation change in the Pur–Taz interfluve was not controlled by climate alone, but by spatially heterogeneous feedbacks among permafrost state, peatland hydrology, fire disturbance and pollen-source structure. The West Siberian record provides a palaeoecological analogue for anticipating nonlinear vegetation and fire-regime responses in permafrost lowlands under ongoing Arctic warming. Full article

Pollination services provided by insects are fundamental to the productivity and quality of sweet cherry orchards. This study investigated the flower-visiting insect community and compared the pollination potential of A. mellifera and A. cerana in a sweet cherry orchard on the Loess Plateau of eastern Gansu, China. Field surveys were conducted during the blooming periods of 2025 and 2026. Visual observation and video recording documented flower-visiting insects across five daily time intervals. Foraging behavior, including flower-handling time and inter-visit interval, was measured in both bee species. Pollen loads on five body parts (head, thorax, abdomen, wings, and legs) were measured by hemocytometry. Standing nectar volume was measured by capillary extraction. Statistical analyses included generalized linear models, Friedman tests, and Pearson correlation analysis. Fourteen insect taxa were identified, among which Hymenoptera was the most dominant order. The main visitors were A. mellifera and A. cerana. The peak of A. cerana visitation was at 12:00–14:00, whereas A. mellifera showed a broader activity peak spanning 12:00–16:00. Apis mellifera exhibited a significantly longer single-flower handling time compared to A. cerana, and inter-visit intervals did not differ significantly between species. Pollen loads showed both species carried the loosest pollen on their legs, but A. cerana also maintained a substantial load on its thorax. Pollen loads did not differ significantly between the two species on any body region. Pollinator activity and standing nectar volume both peaked at 14:00–16:00, but bee visitation showed no linear correlation with environmental factors. Although A. mellifera was numerically dominant, our findings indicate that A. cerana may play a disproportionate role in pollination because of its unique pollen-carrying profile and earlier peak of activity. Therefore, maintaining both honeybee species alongside a diverse assemblage of flower-visiting insects is a prudent strategy for resilient orchard pollination. Full article

Pollen data obtained from aerobiological monitoring are utilized in various fields of application but require statistical processing. In this study, airborne pollen data from the Rome aerobiological monitoring stations (San Pietro Hospital and Tor Vergata), covering the period 1997–2025, were analyzed, with a specific focus on an Ambrosia pollen episode occurring on 11–12 September 2009. Many studies have employed descriptive statistical methods or predictive models. Among these, the HYSPLIT model was employed in a case study to verify whether the elevated levels of ragweed pollen recorded on 11–12 September 2009 in Rome were attributed to long-distance transport, and to determine the possible source areas through back-trajectories. The relationships between pollen concentrations, distribution maps of Ambrosia spp. individuals, transport conditions, and meteorological conditions were examined. The combination of these tools appears to confirm that the presence of Ambrosia pollen is the result of long-distance transport. To complement the modeling analysis, backward trajectories were computed using the HYSPLIT model with a 48 h duration at three altitudes (0, 100, and 1500 m above sea level) to evaluate the influence of planetary boundary layer dynamics on the transport pathways. Despite being an excellent tool, the use of HYSPLIT in Italy could present some critical issues due to the terrain topography, which affects the calculation of altitude levels and introduces uncertainties in trajectory reconstruction. New techniques are emerging daily, leading to increasingly precise forecasts. Nevertheless, an increase in aerobiological sampling sites with adequate regulation would represent a sound starting point for standardizing intervention strategies. Full article

Brazilian campos rupestres are a global center of plant endemism, but they are increasingly threatened by climate change and human activities. In this context, Sincoraea, an endemic genus of the Espinhaço Mountain Range, provides an important model for understanding how reproductive traits influence species persistence. This study investigated the floral biology, reproductive systems, nectar dynamics, and floral visitors’ interactions of several Sincoraea species through fieldwork conducted from 2023 to 2025. Floral biology and pollination were analyzed in four species, while pollen and stigma traits were examined in eight species using light and scanning electron microscopy. The flowers had white tubular corollas, diurnal anthesis, and high pollen viability during anthesis. Nectar production peaked in the morning. All recorded pollinators were hummingbirds and all species were self-incompatible, except S. burle-marxii, which was partially self-compatible. The reproductive effectiveness index was 1.00 for all species, suggesting that natural pollination provided effective conspecific pollen transfer without evidence of pollen limitation. These findings highlight the strong dependence of Sincoraea on floral visitors and emphasize the importance of conserving plant–floral visitor networks in campos rupestres. These interactions are essential for maintaining genetic diversity and the long-term stability of ecosystems. Full article

This study presents a meta-analysis of relatively high-resolution paleohydrological proxies derived from geological archives in Sardinia and in the Italian Peninsula–Sicily over the last 2000 years, with particular emphasis on the Medieval Warm Period (MWP) and the Little Ice Age (LIA). The investigated climate proxies, ranging from annual-decadal to centennial resolution, include terrestrial and marine sediment cores, glaciers, pollen spectra, speleothems, lake-level fluctuations, as well as sedimentary and geomorphological inventories. Such datasets were analyzed through holistic and stratigraphic approaches along West–East and North–South transects across the central Mediterranean. Limited temporal resolution and incomplete stratigraphic continuity of several paleoclimatic records from the investigated regions thwart full reconstructions of paleohydrological trends. Nevertheless, the presented meta-analysis has enabled: (1) the recognition of reliable paleoclimatic correlations between the two regions, which exhibit long-lasting anti-phase hydroclimatic trends (wetter conditions in Sardinia and drier conditions in central Italy during the MWP, with the opposite pattern during the LIA); and (2) the identification of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) as the primary driver of these paleohydrological variations. The significance of this anti-phase pattern is discussed in the context of the North–South and West–East climatic dipoles identified in the Mediterranean region during the middle to late Holocene. Furthermore, we assessed the potential of the investigated paleohydrological network to: (1) compare reconstructed hydrological patterns with mean temperature and precipitation records derived from empirical and model-based climate reconstructions in southern Europe and the Mediterranean; and (2) identify gaps in data coverage that currently limit our understanding of high-resolution spatiotemporal hydrological variability and dynamics.The hydroclimatic pattern in Sardinia and in the Italian Peninsula–Sicily has exhibited marked spatio-temporal divergences, with major hydroclimatic transitions coincident with well-known solar minima over the last millennium, thus suggesting a possible cause-and-effect relationship. The interpretations presented in this study provide a framework for understanding how changes in the paleoclimatic variability of water resources may have influenced different regions of Italy since the Middle Ages, potentially affecting societal transitions as well as historical and socioeconomic dynamics. Comparison of the multidecadal-to-centennial reconstructions of paleohydrological patterns is presented for both areas, pending the development of new, higher-resolution, and more precisely dated proxies from the Italian records. Their importance is emphasized in order to improve reconstructions of past climate variability and to enhance assessments of future climate trajectories. Full article

Maxillariinae is one of the most diverse Neotropical orchid groups, yet little is known about its reproduction and pollination. We studied Maxillaria carinulata and Maxillaria meridensis on the eastern slope of the Cordillera Oriental in Caquetá, Colombia (2000–2300 m), using pollinator exclusion, controlled pollination, observations, and histochemical tests. Hand pollination was used for manual autogamy, geitonogamy, and xenogamy treatments. Bagged flowers produced no fruit, confirming dependence on pollinators. Apomixis and spontaneous selfing failed, but manual autogamy, geitonogamy, and xenogamy yielded high fruit sets, showing self-compatibility and cross-fertility. In M. carinulata, fruit set reached 93.3%, 86.7%, and 90%; in M. meridensis, 80.0%, 83.3%, and 86.7%. The independent natural fruit-set survey showed low fruit production under field conditions, with 4.7% of monitored flowers forming fruits in M. carinulata and 16.3% in M. meridensis, reflecting inefficient pollen transfer. Both species showed floral scent and osmophore-like activity; M. meridensis also produced lipids, proteins, sugars, and starch in specific tissues. Visitors, mainly Stethobaris weevils, were recorded on M. meridensis, but no pollinarium removal or deposition occurred. These findings highlight strong pollination limitations and support conserving habitats to sustain effective pollinators in Andean populations. Full article

Cryptomeria japonica (Japanese cedar) is extensively planted as windbreaks in Jeju, Korea, producing highly allergenic pollen that significantly affects local populations. This study analyzed 10-year trends of airborne C. japonica pollen concentrations and their relationship with meteorological factors in Jeju to provide essential data for allergy management and climate adaptation strategies. Daily airborne pollen sampling was conducted using Burkard traps from 2015 to 2024 at a monitoring site in Jeju. Meteorological data, including temperature, wind speed, relative humidity, precipitation, solar radiation, and cloud amount, were obtained from the Korea Meteorological Administration. Temporal trends were analyzed using linear regression and the Mann–Kendall test, while correlations between pollen parameters and meteorological variables were calculated using Spearman’s correlation coefficients. Over the 10-year period, annual pollen integral (APIn) and peak concentrations showed statistically significant increasing trends. Pollen season start dates demonstrated a tendency toward earlier occurrence. Season onset was strongly negatively correlated with pre-season temperatures in January and February. January solar radiation showed positive correlations with both season end and period duration. C. japonica pollen concentrations in Jeju demonstrate significant increasing trends with earlier seasonal onset, primarily driven by pre-season warming in January and February. These changes may lead to prolonged allergen exposure periods, necessitating enhanced public health preparedness and adaptation of clinical management strategies for allergic populations. Full article

Determining the relative impacts of climate variability and human activities on vegetation dynamics remains a central theme in paleoecological research. In climate transition zones like the southeastern Marmara region, isopollen maps are important because they allow for the evaluation of spatially diverse pollen records within an integrated regional framework. The aim of this study is to present a spatially holistic reconstruction of Late Holocene vegetation change in the southern Marmara region using isopollen maps based on fossil pollen records obtained from Manyas, Iznik and Sapanca lakes. Isopollen maps were created for five time periods, approximately 2600, 2000, 1250, 800 and 400 yr BP, representing major climatic and historical phases of the Late Holocene, and the spatial distribution patterns of the major tree and herbaceous taxa were reconstructed. The results demonstrate the presence of a continuous west–east variability in the region’s vegetation structure, reflecting the transition between Mediterranean and Black Sea climate regimes. However, the temporal variation patterns show that vegetation responses cannot always be directly explained by climatic phases. In particular, Artemisia highlights the persistence and local expansion of open-area vegetation, reaching approximately 24% of the study area to the present day. Given the region’s long history of settlement, these findings indicate that vegetation dynamics during the Late Holocene were shaped by the combined effects of climatic changes, local environmental conditions and human activities. Therefore, the study emphasizes the importance of spatially integrated approaches in paleoecological reconstructions. Full article

Understanding the extent to which anthropogenic activity shapes vegetation dynamics is a central challenge in palaeoecology. In the Eastern Mediterranean, pollen-based studies have traditionally identified human impact through qualitative interpretations of anthropogenic indicators, particularly within the framework of the Beyşehir Occupation Phase (BOP). However, proxy-based quantitative comparison of anthropogenic signals across multiple sites remains limited. This study compiles pollen datasets from multiple lacustrine records across Anatolia (Türkiye) to construct a regional multi-site dataset and evaluates anthropogenic influence using a quantitative BOP period anthropogenic taxa integrated with Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The relative representation of pollen indicators enabling the determination of anthropogenic effect was evaluated using a composite pollen index based on Olea, Juglans, Plantago lanceolata-type, Cerealia and Rumex acetosa-type taxa. The results reveal substantial spatial variability in anthropogenic signals, with combined pollen percentages ranging from less than 1% to 16% among lakes. PCA results show clear inter-site differentiation, with the first two components explaining 42.94% and 21.95% of the total variance, respectively. In particular, Olea emerges as the most influential indicator, strongly contributing to the primary ecological gradient. These findings provide a proxy-based quantitative extension of the traditionally qualitative BOP concept and show that selected anthropogenic pollen indicators are spatially heterogeneous across Anatolian lake records. By integrating a composite anthropogenic index with multivariate analysis, this study offers a robust and transferable framework for comparing human–environment interactions across different regions and ecological settings. Full article

Identifying the nectar sources of stingless bees is essential for understanding plant–pollinator interactions and for promoting sustainable meliponiculture. Traditionally, this has been achieved through melissopalynological analysis of honey; however, this approach has certain limitations. Here, we aimed to evaluate whether pollen analysis of bee crop nectar can reliably identify nectar sources for stingless bees. We conducted palynological analyses of honey samples (n = 12) and crop nectar samples (n = 757, considering individual foragers), and conducted field surveys to determine nectar sources for the stingless bee Tetragonula pagdeni in West Bengal, India. From the honey analysis, 42 pollen types were identified, with Eucalyptus tereticornis as the predominant pollen type. In contrast, 67 pollen types were recorded from the crop nectar samples. The most frequently occurring pollen types were Acacia auriculiformis, Borassus flabellifer, Eucalyptus tereticornis, Peltophorum pterocarpum, Tridax procumbens, and Ziziphus mauritiana. Through field surveys, 73 plant species were identified as nectar sources. By integrating these methods, 85 plant species were recognised as nectar sources for stingless bees. The findings indicate that palynological analysis of bees’ crop nectar is an effective method for identifying the nectar sources of a bee species. Furthermore, combining palynological analysis of crop nectar with melissopalynological analysis of honey provides a more comprehensive and potentially more accurate assessment of nectar sources than reliance on honey analysis alone. Full article

Background: This study aimed to evaluate referral reasons, distribution of allergic diseases, atopic status, and comorbidity associations among patients aged 65 years and older presenting to a tertiary allergy clinic. Methods: This retrospective study included all geriatric patients (≥65 years) who attended the Immunology and Allergy outpatient clinic at Ankara Bilkent City Hospital between January 2024 and December 2025. Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, referral complaints, and allergic diagnoses were recorded. Allergen sensitization was assessed using skin tests and/or allergen-specific IgE measurements. Results: A total of 1302 geriatric patients were included (mean age 70.9 years; 59.8% female). At least one comorbidity was present in 62.6% of patients, with hypertension being the most common(39.4%). The leading referral complaints were rhinorrhoea/sneezing (22.8%), pruritus (19.1%), drug allergy/adverse drug reactions (14.8%), and chronic urticaria (10.9%). The most common diagnoses were rhinitis (63.2% non-allergic), non-allergic pruritus, drug allergy, and chronic urticaria. Among inhalant allergens, pollen sensitivity (42.2%) was most frequent, followed by house dust mite (32.5%). The most frequently implicated drug groups were antibiotics (42.4%) and analgesics (21.7%). Chronic urticaria and ACE inhibitor-associated angioedema showed significant gender differences: 68.6% female (p = 0.001) and 66.7% male (p = 0.008), respectively. Patients with asthma, rhinitis, or angioedema frequently had comorbid conditions (91.1%, 55.8%, and 83.7%, p = 0.001, p = 0.013, and p = 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: Allergy clinic presentations in elderly patients reflect a broad clinical spectrum, including non-allergic conditions, frequent drug-related reactions in elderly patients with multiple comorbidities, and age-related immunological changes alongside atopic diseases. A comprehensive, individualized diagnostic approach is essential when evaluating allergic complaints in the geriatric population. Full article

Background/Objectives: Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is the only disease-modifying treatment for grass pollen allergy. However, the proportion of patients interested in AIT who meet guideline-defined eligibility criteria remains unclear. This study aimed to characterise symptom burden, medication use, and AIT eligibility in adult patients with grass pollen allergy during the peak pollen season. Methods: In this multicentre, prospective, non-interventional epidemiological study, 479 adults with confirmed grass pollen allergy recorded daily nasal, ocular, and systemic symptoms, as well as anti-allergic medication use, via a validated electronic diary (CCC STUDY Diary) over a 30-day period in June/July 2025. A combined symptom–medication score (CSMS) was calculated daily, with a predefined threshold of ≥1.5 indicating clinically relevant symptom severity and potential eligibility for AIT. Both additive and weighted calculation approaches for the CSMS and the daily medication score (dMS) were evaluated to assess methodological robustness and reproducibility. Results: The mean additive CSMS was 2.14, indicating moderate symptom burden. Overall, 63.3% of participants exceeded the CSMS threshold of 1.5 and were considered eligible for AIT. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated excellent concordance between additive and weighted CSMS/dMS calculations (Spearman’s ρ >0.98; p < 0.001), and Bland–Altman analysis confirmed minimal bias (0.157) and narrow limits of agreement. Asthma was reported as a comorbidity in 36% of patients, generally associated with mild to moderate daily respiratory symptoms. Limitations included the self-reported nature of the data and a slightly reduced sample size; however, the results are representative of adult patients seeking care in specialised allergy centres in Germany. Conclusions: The CSMS also in its additive and therefore modernised form is a reliable, reproducible, and clinically meaningful tool for quantifying symptom severity and identifying patients suitable for AIT. Approximately two-thirds of adults interested in grass pollen AIT exhibited moderate to severe symptoms and were eligible for treatment according to current guideline recommendations. Full article

The present study aimed to investigate whether Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy could be effectively applied for the botanical origin confirmation of monofloral (fir, thyme, pine) and flower/polyfloral (flower, citrus, asfaka, and mixtures) honey in accordance with melissopalynological analysis, and to unveil the adulteration of monofloral honey with flower/polyfloral honey. Fifty-nine samples were subjected first to melissopalynological analysis to record the dominant pollen flora. Afterwards, ATR-FTIR analysis identified the dominant spectral regions of interest. Among them, 3300–3200 cm⁻¹, 2970–2920 cm⁻¹, 1730–1600 cm⁻¹, 1420–1410 cm⁻¹, 1390–1380 cm⁻¹, 1380–1330 cm⁻¹, 1260–1225 cm⁻¹, 1210–1180 cm⁻¹, 1150–1130 cm⁻¹, 1100–1010 cm⁻¹, and 950–750 cm⁻¹ showed a differentiation potential. Pattern recognition [multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA)/linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and dimension reduction (factor analysis)] techniques resulted in 100% classification of samples by botanical origin, with the most significant factor parameters being the regions of 1730–1600 cm⁻¹, 1420–1410 cm⁻¹, and 950–750 cm⁻¹, which indicate the presence of water, carbohydrates, ketones, amino acids, and organic acids. Fir, thyme, and pine samples were also adulterated with the batch of flower/polyfloral honey samples (20% w/w), and ATR-FTIR, in combination with the aforementioned multivariate techniques, differentiated the adulterated samples from monofloral samples with an overall cross-validation prediction rate of 91.2% based on LDA. ATR-FTIR, when combined with chemometrics, can be a rapid analytical technique for confirming the botanical origin and adulteration of monofloral honey with polyfloral honey, with an error rate below 9%. Full article

The homogenization of landscapes and reduction in floral diversity have increasingly led to low diversity in pollen diets for honey bees. In this study, we examined the effects of monofloral pollen diets based on wind-pollinated (Corylus sp., Pinus sp.) and insect-pollinated plants (Brassica napus L., Phacelia sp., Solidago sp., Fagopyrum sp.) on the development of hypopharyngeal glands (HPGs), activities of enzymatic (AST, ALT, ALP, GGTP) and non-enzymatic (urea, uric acid) biomarkers, as well as magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus concentrations in the hemolymph and fat bodies from different locations (tergite 3, 5 and sternite) in worker bees. Even a small (10%) addition of pollen to sugar candy stimulated the development of acini compared to the control group, with phacelia, buckwheat, and goldenrod pollen having the strongest effects. The largest acini developed in the 14-day-old bees fed with Phacelia pollen, whereas the collecting duct diameters were significantly reduced in all the pollen-supplemented groups. Enzymatic biomarker activities were the highest in the hemolymph of newly emerged bees and increased with age across all the tissues, particularly in tergite 5, with the highest activities recorded in the bees fed with insect-pollinated plant pollen. Non-enzymatic parameters and ion concentrations also varied with tissue type and segmental location, generally increasing with age and reaching the highest values in tergite 5. Regardless of the tissue (the fat body vs. hemolymph), the bees fed a diet containing pollen from Brassica napus, Phacelia, Solidago, and Fagopyrum had higher concentrations of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, while the effects of hazel and pine pollen were less pronounced. These findings suggest that even limited pollen supplementation can positively shape the morphological and biochemical physiology of worker bees. Understanding these relationships is crucial for developing strategies to support bee health under increasing environmental pressures and changing floral availability. Full article