Complexity of Plant-Pollinator Networks Comprised of Native and Non-Native Plants and Pollinators in Relation to Land Cover

Authors: Jacqueline Justo, Eliza Grames

Field of Study: Science, Technology, Engineering, and/or Math

Program Affiliation: Grames Lab

Faculty Mentors: Eliza Grames

Easel: 4

Timeslot: Midday

Abstract: Pollinators are vital to ecosystem function. This study observed how plant-pollinator networks comprised of native bumble bees (Bombus) and non-native honeybees (Apis) change with tree cover and on native versus non-native flora. At 40 sites, flower visitation by Bombus and Apis over 15-minute intervals were recorded. There was no significant difference in Bombus and Apis visitation to native or non-native flowers (χ2= 3.57, p=0.06). Bombus visited nine native and six non-native species, while Apis visited four native and five non-native. For every 1% increase in grassland, there was an increase of 1.04 bees (p <0.001). Plant-pollinator networks were more complex (# edges = 23) in open areas than forested areas (# edges = 6). Apis and Bombus shared eight flower species, three were only visited by Apis, and eight were only visited by Bombus. Monitoring native and non-native bees and their interactions can help us understand competition for floral resources.