Assessing Pollen Limitation In 4 Native Wildflower Species Within Restored Prairie Ecosystems In Eastern Washington
Faculty Mentor
Justin Bastow
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Start Date
May 2025
End Date
May 2025
Location
PUB 319
Primary Discipline of Presentation
Biology
Abstract
Restoring prairie ecosystems requires more than reintroducing native plants: it also requires an understanding of plant-pollinator interactions to promote long-term ecological resilience. We hypothesize that restored prairies experience greater pollen limitation due to reduced pollinator activity and habitat fragmentation. To test this, we will assess pollen limitation in four native wildflower species (Penstemon attenuata, Geranium viscosissimum, Eriogonum heracleoides, and Linum lewisii). Our study sites will involve Eastern Washington University’s (EWU) Prairie Restoration site, a 120 acre recently converted agricultural field, and two undisturbed remnant prairie habitats ≥ 120 acres in eastern Washington. Three pollination treatments (ambient pollination, restricted pollination, and hand pollination) will assess natural seed set, the ability of the plant to self-pollinate, and the degree to which seed set is reduced by insufficient pollination. Plant-pollinator interaction will be assessed through observing pollinators visiting flowers and net sampling of pollinators along transactions within our 10-meter plots to determine the diversity of pollinators visiting our flower across sites. By comparing restored and intact prairie sites, we aim to determine how habitat fragmentation influences pollinator activity, pollinator establishment and native forb seed production. We expect that restored habitats will exhibit greater pollen limitation and fewer seed production due to lower pollinator diversity and abundance, highlighting the importance of pollinator-focused strategies in prairie restoration planning.
Recommended Citation
Torres-Gonzalez, Alejandro and Bastow, Justin, "Assessing Pollen Limitation In 4 Native Wildflower Species Within Restored Prairie Ecosystems In Eastern Washington" (2025). 2025 Symposium. 1.
https://dc.ewu.edu/srcw_2025/op_2025/o2_2025/1
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Assessing Pollen Limitation In 4 Native Wildflower Species Within Restored Prairie Ecosystems In Eastern Washington
PUB 319
Restoring prairie ecosystems requires more than reintroducing native plants: it also requires an understanding of plant-pollinator interactions to promote long-term ecological resilience. We hypothesize that restored prairies experience greater pollen limitation due to reduced pollinator activity and habitat fragmentation. To test this, we will assess pollen limitation in four native wildflower species (Penstemon attenuata, Geranium viscosissimum, Eriogonum heracleoides, and Linum lewisii). Our study sites will involve Eastern Washington University’s (EWU) Prairie Restoration site, a 120 acre recently converted agricultural field, and two undisturbed remnant prairie habitats ≥ 120 acres in eastern Washington. Three pollination treatments (ambient pollination, restricted pollination, and hand pollination) will assess natural seed set, the ability of the plant to self-pollinate, and the degree to which seed set is reduced by insufficient pollination. Plant-pollinator interaction will be assessed through observing pollinators visiting flowers and net sampling of pollinators along transactions within our 10-meter plots to determine the diversity of pollinators visiting our flower across sites. By comparing restored and intact prairie sites, we aim to determine how habitat fragmentation influences pollinator activity, pollinator establishment and native forb seed production. We expect that restored habitats will exhibit greater pollen limitation and fewer seed production due to lower pollinator diversity and abundance, highlighting the importance of pollinator-focused strategies in prairie restoration planning.
