Generalist species are the linchpins of networks, as they are important for maintaining network structure and function. Previous studies have shown that interactions between generalists tend to occur consistently across years and sites. However, the link between temporal and spatial interaction persistence across scales remains unclear. To address this gap, we collected data on plant–pollinator interactions throughout the flowering period for 5 yr across six plots in a subalpine meadow in the Rocky Mountains. We found that interactions between generalists tended to persist more in time and space such that interactions near the network core were more frequently recorded across years, within seasons, and among plots. We posit that species' tolerance of environmental variation across time and space plays a key role in generalization by regulating spatiotemporal overlap with interaction partners. Our results imply a role of spatiotemporal environmental variation in organizing species interactions, marrying niche concepts that emphasize species environmental constraints and their community role.

中文翻译：

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通才之间的植物授粉者相互作用会随着时间和空间而持续

通才物种是网络的关键，因为它们对于维持网络结构和功能很重要。以前的研究表明，通才之间的互动往往会在不同年份和地点之间持续发生。然而，跨尺度的时间和空间交互持久性之间的联系仍不清楚。为了弥补这一差距，我们收集了有关植物的数据——在落基山脉亚高山草甸的六个地块中，传粉者在整个开花期的相互作用长达 5 年。我们发现通才之间的交互往往在时间和空间上持续更长时间，因此网络核心附近的交互更频繁地记录在不同年份、季节内和地块之间。我们假设物种对跨时间和空间的环境变化的耐受性通过调节与相互作用伙伴的时空重叠在泛化中起着关键作用。我们的结果暗示了时空环境变化在组织物种相互作用、结合强调物种环境约束及其群落作用的生态位概念方面的作用。