Submission Type
Poster
Abstract
Pollinator communities are amongst species facing dramatic population declines due to anthropogenic changes. These declines are driven by land use changes with agricultural expansion and urbanization. Utility lands must be managed in ways that prevent tall vegetation from encroaching, making them an ideal place to recreate native grasslands. This research aims to assess how different seed mixes used by utility companies impact pollinator community composition. The study site is a 15-acre electric ROW located outside of St. Louis IL. The site was prepared in 2021 and incorporates a randomized mix of turfgrass-seeded plots, native seeded plots, and unseeded plots acting as controls. We quantify vegetation and pollinator responses to seeding strategy through repeated vegetation surveys, sweep-net sampling, and insect vacuum sampling. Floral abundance throughout the site is generally low as the site is still in early stages of establishment, but we have found patterns in pollinator abundance suggesting pollinators favor the native seeded plots over both turf and unseeded controls. We have also noticed trends of pollinators favoring certain plant species throughout the site. This research serves to highlight how different seed mixes impact pollinator communities within utility lands. Preliminary sampling for this project occurred June-August 2022, but the bulk of this research will occur from May - August 2023. This poster will focus on preliminary results from 2022 and discuss future research plans.
Influence of Seed Mixes on Pollinator Communities Within an Electric Right-of-Way
Pollinator communities are amongst species facing dramatic population declines due to anthropogenic changes. These declines are driven by land use changes with agricultural expansion and urbanization. Utility lands must be managed in ways that prevent tall vegetation from encroaching, making them an ideal place to recreate native grasslands. This research aims to assess how different seed mixes used by utility companies impact pollinator community composition. The study site is a 15-acre electric ROW located outside of St. Louis IL. The site was prepared in 2021 and incorporates a randomized mix of turfgrass-seeded plots, native seeded plots, and unseeded plots acting as controls. We quantify vegetation and pollinator responses to seeding strategy through repeated vegetation surveys, sweep-net sampling, and insect vacuum sampling. Floral abundance throughout the site is generally low as the site is still in early stages of establishment, but we have found patterns in pollinator abundance suggesting pollinators favor the native seeded plots over both turf and unseeded controls. We have also noticed trends of pollinators favoring certain plant species throughout the site. This research serves to highlight how different seed mixes impact pollinator communities within utility lands. Preliminary sampling for this project occurred June-August 2022, but the bulk of this research will occur from May - August 2023. This poster will focus on preliminary results from 2022 and discuss future research plans.
Comments
Scott Meiners & Josh Poland Eastern Illinois University