Effect of the presence of nectar feeders on the breeding success of Salvia mexicana and Salvia fulgens in a suburban park near México City

• Published in: Biological conservation 2007-04, Vol.136 (1), p.155-158
• Main Authors: Arizmendi, María del Coro, Constanza, Monterrubio-Solís, Lourdes, Juárez, Ivonne, Flores-Moreno, Edgar, López-Saut
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Conservation pollinators; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Hummingbirds; Nectar feeders; Parks, reserves, wildlife conservation. Endangered species: population survey and restocking; Plant reproduction; Salvia; Urban systems
• ISSN: 0006-3207; 1873-2917
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2006.11.016

The use of nectar feeders has grown a lot as a result of people wanting to attract hummingbirds to their gardens. This has caused an increment in the density and diversity of these birds in urban and suburban habitats. The feeders not only represent a bonanza resource for hummingbirds but they can also result in reduced visitation to native plants. We experimentally assessed the effect of placing nectar feeders in the vicinity of two native plant species in a suburban area of Mexico City. The plants with feeders showed a reduced visitation rate and in one case ( Salvia fulgens) produced fewer seeds than the controls. Salvia mexicana was not only visited by hummingbirds but it was also by bees that were not attracted to the feeders, probably resulting in the lack of effect on this plant. Native plants in urban and suburban habitats can be threatened by reduced visitation rates and reduced seed sets resulting from the use of feeders.