Context and Motivation:
Species and ecological interactions are disappearing at alarming rates with unknown effects on key ecosystem functions basic for human well being, as pollination. Project PoliS (comprehensive assessment of stability in pollination communities) aims to combine the forces of an expert in the study of stability in complex networks and a world leader on pollination services to address one of the most relevant problems in ecology nowadays: how plant-pollinator communities respond to environmental changes.
By bridging the classical divide between the empirical and theoretical frameworks to study ecological stability, and using as case study detailed data on 12 communities in the Doñana natural reserve (southern Spain) across a gradient of landscape fragmentation monitored over seven years, this project put forwards solutions to comprehensively quantify the response of pollination communities to environmental perturbations, and elucidates the mechanisms by which pollination communities withstand global change pressures and achieve different axes of stability.
The novelty and high transferability of the methodology, in addition to the relevance of the question, make of this project an unique opportunity to advance in the prediction of how pollination communities will respond to a changing world.
Overall objectives:
The main objectives of the project are:
1) provide tools to assess temporal stability in plant-pollinator communities and test them using
long-term empirical data,
2) advance in elucidating how landscape fragmentation combines with climate change to impact
the structure and dynamics of these communities,
3) determine the extent to which interaction structure remains constant over time and their
consequences for community stability,
4) identify species most vulnerable to environmental perturbations and link this to their biological
traits and network roles.
I
mpacts:
The Poli-Stability (PoliS) project has made significant scientific contributions by integrating theoretical ecological models with long-term empirical data, advancing the understanding of ecological stability in plant-pollinator networks. Additionally, PoliS revealed how landscape intensification indirectly affects pollinator persistence by altering network structures, such as nestedness and modularity, highlighting the importance of cohesive interaction networks for stabilizing pollination systems. The project developed novel methodologies to quantify interaction flexibility and network dynamics, providing actionable tools for predicting and enhancing ecosystem persistence in the face of environmental change. These findings bridge critical gaps between theory and practice, offering robust frameworks to assess how ecological interactions underpin community stability. The scientific advancements of PoliS are expected to inform further research and modeling efforts, driving innovation in ecological stability studies and contributing to global strategies for biodiversity preservation and ecosystem management
The project has gone beyond the academic world and has made meaningful societal contributions by raising awareness of the critical role pollination plays in sustaining biodiversity and supporting food security. Through targeted outreach events, educational initiatives, and public engagement, the project has fostered a deeper understanding of the ecological and economic importance of pollinators. By emphasizing the need to protect both species and their interactions, PoliS has the potential to inform biodiversity conservation strategies and promote sustainable agricultural practices, ensuring the resilience of vital ecosystem services. These efforts align with global and EU-level biodiversity goals, supporting societal well-being by addressing pollinator declines, which directly impact agriculture, food production, and ecosystem health. The project's emphasis on inclusive and accessible science communication ensures its findings reach diverse audiences, maximizing its societal impact and fostering a culture of environmental stewardship.
Strategic and Policy Implications:
The project aligns with the European Green Deal, supporting biodiversity goals and climate adaptation strategies. It also contributes to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), by enhancing ecological resilience and sustainability.
PoliS exemplifies the integration of social sciences and humanities through its focus on inclusive science communication, fostering gender equality, and addressing ecological issues from a multidisciplinary perspective. The project's outcomes are expected to inform conservation policies and practical applications across ecological and agricultural systems.
