Data from: Wildfire alters the structure and seasonal dynamics of nocturnal pollen-transport networks

Wildfires drive global biodiversity patterns and affect plant–pollinator
interactions, and are expected to become more frequent and severe under
climate change. Post‐fire plant communities often have increased floral
abundance and diversity, but the effects of wildfires on the ecological
process of pollination are poorly understood. Nocturnal moths are globally
important pollinators, but no previous study has examined the effects of
wildfire on nocturnal pollination interactions. We investigated the
effects of wildfire on nocturnal pollen‐transport networks. We analysed
the abundance and species richness of moths and flowers, and the structure
of these networks, at three burned and three unburned sites in Portugal
for two years, starting eight months after a large fire. Nocturnal
pollen‐transport networks had lower complexity and robustness following
the fire than at nearby unburned sites. Overall, 70% of individual moths
carried pollen, and moths were found to be transporting pollen from 83% of
the flower species present. Burned sites had significantly more abundant
flowers, but less abundant and species‐rich moths. Individual moths
transported more pollen in summer at burned sites, but less in winter;
however, total pollen transport by the moth assemblage at burned sites was
just 20% of that at unburned sites. Interaction turnover between burned
and unburned networks was high. Negative effects of fire upon moths will
likely permeate to other taxa through loss of mutualisms. Therefore, if
wildfires become more frequent under climate change, community resilience
may be eroded. Understanding the responses of ecological networks to
wildfire can inform management that promotes resilience and facilitates
whole‐ecosystem conservation.