Abstract Detail

Reproductive Processes

Van Etten, Megan [1].

Using Brassica rapa to quickly assess pollinator quantity and quality.

Human-mediated environmental changes have begun to have noticeable negative effects on managed pollinators. However, the state of native pollinators, which is likely to be more important in most ecosystems, is less well understood. This lack of knowledge is due in part to the difficulty in measuring native pollinator abundance quickly and comparably. To address these issues, I created Brassica rapa plants with increased flower size variation that can be placed in a location for 1-week to estimate pollinator quantity and quality. To test the efficacy of this system, over the growing season I placed arrays in three locations that differed in their level of human disturbance. I found that while overall pollinator abundance didn't differ between locations, the type of pollinators did - the more disturbed location had smaller pollinators. Additionally, the most disturbed location had lower seed production, suggesting that the change in pollinator type led to decreased plant reproduction. These results show that this system can help us better understand the impact human disturbance on pollinators and their plant dependents.

1 - Penn State Scranton, 120 Ridge View Dr, Dunmore, PA, 18512, United States

Keywords:
Pollen limitation
Brassica rapa
pollination
plant-pollinator interactions
pollinator declines.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P, Reproductive Processes Posters
Location: Virtual/Virtual
Date: Thursday, July 30th, 2020
Time: 5:00 PM Time and date to be determined
Number: PRP003
Abstract ID:686
Candidate for Awards:None