36th Annual Student Research Conference
The Effect of Snowmelt Timing on Pollinator Visitation to Subalpine Wildflowers
James Moloney
Dr. Chad Montgomery, Faculty Mentor
In subalpine ecosystems, climate change alters the timing of snowmelt, which changes flowering phenology and can impact plant-pollinator interactions. An early snowmelt manipulation was performed and pollinator observations sessions were conducted in control and early snowmelt plots on 4 species of wildflowers: Delphinium nuttallianum (DENU), Geum triflorum (GETR), Linum lewisii (GETR), and Delphinium barbeyi (DEBA). I found that DENU experienced a significantly lower mean visitation rate in early snowmelt plots whereas LILE experienced significantly higher mean visitation rate. DEBA had a significantly higher probability of receiving a visit in early snowmelt plots. As climate change becomes more severe, there will be differential impacts for subalpine plant species and therefore both positive and negative effects on plant and animal interactions. Species that are more resilient to shifting climate like LILE may outcompete other more sensitive species. Further investigation of wildflower species’ reproductive efficacy is needed to support this hypothesis.
Keywords: Climate change, Wildflower, Pollinators, Bees, Alpine ecosystems, Phenology
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Session: 207-1
Location: MG 2001
Time: 10:15