Data from: Experimental species removals impact the architecture of pollination networks

Mutualistic networks are key for the creation and maintenance of
biodiversity, yet are threatened by global environmental change. Most
simulation models assume that network structure remains static after
species losses, despite theoretical and empirical reasons to expect
dynamic responses. We assessed the effects of experimental single
bumblebee species removals on the structure of entire flower visitation
networks. We hypothesized that network structure would change following
processes linking interspecific competition with dietary niche breadth. We
found that single pollinator species losses impact pollination network
structure: resource complementarity decreased, while resource overlap
increased. Despite marginally increased connectance, fewer plant species
were visited after species removals. These changes may have negative
functional impacts, as complementarity is important for maintaining
biodiversity–ecological functioning relationships and visitation of rare
plant species is critical for maintaining diverse plant communities.