Data from: Exotic species enhance response diversity to land-use change but modify functional composition

Two main mechanisms may buffer ecosystem functions despite biodiversity
loss. First, multiple species could share similar ecological roles, thus
providing functional redundancy. Second, species may respond differently
to environmental change (response diversity). However, ecosystem function
would be best protected when functionally redundant species also show
response diversity. This linkage has not been studied directly, so we
investigated whether native and exotic pollinator species with similar
traits (functional redundancy) differed in abundance (response diversity)
across an agricultural intensification gradient. Exotic pollinator species
contributed most positive responses, which partially stabilized overall
abundance of the pollinator community. However, although some functionally
redundant species exhibited response diversity, this was not consistent
across functional groups and aggregate abundances within each functional
group were rarely stabilized. This shows functional redundancy and
response diversity do not always operate in concert. Hence, despite exotic
species becoming increasingly dominant in human-modified systems, they
cannot replace the functional composition of native species.