image: A bellbird pollinates the New Zealand kohekohe tree. This important pollinator was eliminated from the upper North Island by introduced mammals 140 years ago, but survives on nearby islands. On the island bird reserves, pollination mutualisms are still functioning, but on the North Island they are failing. This image relates to an article that appeared in the Feb. 3, 2011, issue of Science Express, published by AAAS. The study, by Dr. Sandra Anderson of the University of Auckland in Auckland, New Zealand, and colleagues was titled, "Cascading Effects of Bird Functional Extinction Reduce Pollination and Plant Density." view more
Credit: Abe Borker, Landcare Research