Toward improving pollinator habitat: Reconstructing prairies with high forb diversity

Pauline Drobney; Diane L. Larson; Jennifer L Larson; Karen Viste-Sparkman

doi:10.3375/043.040.0322

Home/Archive/USGS

USGS · 70223893

Toward improving pollinator habitat: Reconstructing prairies with high forb diversity

Pauline Drobney·Diane L. Larson·Jennifer L Larson·Karen Viste-Sparkman

View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Reconstructed prairies can provide habitat for pollinating insects, an important ecosystem service. To optimize reconstructions for pollinators, goals may include enhancing flowering plant cover and richness and increasing bloom availability early and late in the growing season. Resistance to invasive exotic species must also be a goal in any reconstruction, but it is unclear how increasing forb richness and dominance may affect susceptibility to invasion. We compared planted forb richness and cover, cover of planted grasses, and persistence of exotic species 10 y post-planting of reconstructions with 58 species (extra-high richness), 34 species (high), 20 species (medium), and 10 species (low) planted at the same time in the same fields, and using the same methods and overall seeding rate at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge in Iowa, USA. Planted forb richness and cover were higher and planted warm-season, but not cool-season, grass cover was lower in the extra-high richness plots. Mean Coefficient of Conservatism was higher and there was less cover of exotic forbs in the extra-high richness plots. Cover of exotic cool-season grasses was greater in the extra-high richness plots than in the lower-richness plots and this trend was still increasing at the last sample date. Our results are encouraging in that we increased cover of pollinator-friendly habitat, but invasive grasses are a concern as they may reduce forb cover and opportunities for ground-nesting bees in the long term.

Explore related subjects

Natural Areas Journal Article

Source-reported bounding extent: 41.5201457403486° to 41.60902513908382° latitude; -93.31581115722656° to -93.23444366455078° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeX RIS

Pauline Drobney, Diane L. Larson, Jennifer L Larson, Karen Viste-Sparkman. 2020. Toward improving pollinator habitat: Reconstructing prairies with high forb diversity. https://doi.org/10.3375/043.040.0322

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related USGS reports

USGS2026

Conducting feasibility assessments of potential conservation reintroductions: A case study with the imperiled foothill yellow-legged frog, Rana boylii

Conservation translocations are an increasingly common and often necessary component of recovering species that have become extirpated from portions of their range. Understanding and ameliorating potential threats that reduce the likelihood of successful population establishment at recipient sites is a key component of successful translocation planning. We examined multiple potential threats, including pathogens, contaminants, and invasive species, as well as habitat suitability and food resources, to assess the feasibility of reintroducing threatened, stream-obligate foothill yellow-legged frogs, Rana boylii , to Pinnacles National Park. Foothill yellow-legged frogs were extirpated from this protected area more than half a century ago. Although invasive species, disease, contaminants, food resources, and water temperatures are unlikely to inhibit foothill yellow-legged frog population establishment, potential recipient streams at Pinnacles National Park had shorter hydroperiods and much higher canopy cover than reference streams with extant foothill yellow-legged frog populations. Although the exact cause of extirpation of foothill yellow-legged frogs from Pinnacles National Park is unknown, translocations of foothill yellow-legged frogs to the park are more likely to succeed if riparian canopy cover is reduced and stream hydroperiods increased to better match those at nearby populations. Thoroughly understanding the threats to and characteristics of potential recipient sites could improve the likelihood of success of translocation outcomes in natural areas.

California↗

USGS2026

A little-known piñon from the Mogollon Highlands: Natural history of Pinus x fallax in the Prescott National Forest, Arizona, USA

The Mogollon Highlands is an area of rich biodiversity in central Arizona and western New Mexico. The piñon-juniper/chaparral in the Mogollon Highlands is unique from other piñon-juniper woodlands in both taxonomy and structure. The hybridization of the common piñon there, Pinus × fallax (Mogollon Highlands piñon, MHP), is hypothesized to render it more tolerant to heat and aridity than one of the parent plants, Pinus edulis (Colorado piñon). Yet as Climate Water Deficit continues to increase, so does concern for the future of these woodlands and the MHP. Using demographic data on MHP from the last four decades, we evaluate fecundity and mortality patterns in woodlands where MHP is co-dominant with three Juniperus species and numerous perennial shrubs. Our data indicate that MHP stands continue to reproduce and that mortality is low relative to the more northern P. edulis stands. We also present a simple calculation of historical fire rotation in Prescott National Forest woodlands, estimating a fire rotation of two centuries, far shorter than other piñon-juniper associations. We also explore fire patterns since 1985 across the ecoregion; abundant charcoal indicates small patchy fires were common. In spite of widespread fires, most Mogollon Highlands fires have occurred in Pinus ponderosa (ponderosa pine) forests, leaving piñon-juniper/chaparral intact. Together these trends indicate that MHP and associated perennial co-dominants are tolerant of current climates. We suggest that hybrid genetic combinations, the complex perennial understory (e.g., actinorhizal shrubs, rich diversity of nurse microsites), and fire patterns are responsible for this resiliency.

Arizona↗

USGS2022

Restoration for resilience: The role of plant-microbial interactions and seed provenance in ecological restoration

With global efforts to restore grassland ecosystems, researchers and land management practitioners are working to reconstruct habitat that will persist and withstand stresses associated with climate change. Part of these efforts involve movement of plant material potentially adapted to future climate conditions from native habitat or seed production locations to a new restoration site. Restoration practice often follows this plant-centered, top-down approach. However, we suggest that restoration of belowground interactions, namely between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi or rhizobia, is important for restoring resilient grasslands. In this synthesis we highlight these interactions and offer insight into how their restoration might be included in current grassland restoration practice. Ultimately, restoration of belowground interactions may contribute to grassland habitat that can withstand and respond to future climate uncertainties.

Natural Areas Journal↗