Pollinator activity
Created 2021-06-30 11:02:49 and last modified 2023-05-26 18:31:29 CET
Began in 2021
Summary
Interactions between macroclimate and forest tree canopies drive many of the ecosystem processes which dictate the development of understorey species distributions, and the related ecosystem services. However, despite their importance, current knowledge is insufficient to allow managers to accurately project the combined implications of tree species composition and climate for understorey communities, and the potential for refugia and dispersal barriers, as well as phenology mismatches, to develop under future climates. To fill these knowledge gaps we will use a trans-European network of climate observation sites set in forest understories to establish cameras and traps for surveillance of plants and pollinators, DNA analyses to study plant-pollinator interactions, and translocate plants adapted to colder climates. These sites enable us to exchange space for time by replicating along a macroclimatic gradient from Belgium to northern Sweden, varying over 10 °C in mean annual temperature. This climate gradient, in combination with varying forest density and tree species composition, will enable us to decipher the interactions and processes operating among microclimate, vegetation, and plant as well as pollinator phenology. By teasing out these drivers, processes, and their implications for understorey ecosystem services, our project will fill a knowledge gap vital to understanding two of the prime determinants of global change; a changing climate and changing land-use.
forest structure microclimate pollinator activity
Project details
WP1
Part of an experiment in which we will assess how forest structure and microclimate affects pollinator activity. We have three experimental forests in Sweden (in Vindeln, Siljan and Vivarp) and each of them have 40 plots in the middle of which there are temperature loggers. In 39 out of these 40 plots, we will set cameras to record pollinator activity. Since not all plots have flowers in them, we have developed fake plastic flowers to attract pollinators and towards which the cameras will point. These flowers are painted in bright colors and will provide a sugar reward to pollinators. To avoid ants infesting these flowers and bullying away our pollinators, such flowers will be placed on a tray partially filled with water. Besides adding fake flowers, we still need to record natural real flowers in each plot, since they can also attract pollinators. We will use 13 cameras per forest and these cameras along with fake flowers will be moved within the forest stand every 3-4 days, to avoid that pollinators learn where fake flowers are, and to cover as much forest as possible. The cameras will be moved according to a pre-set schedule, and each camera will be circulating among three plots. Additionally, we have also set some traps at the landscape level to record what pollinators are flying in the area. These traps are called pan traps and consist of a set of bowls (one yellow, one blue and one white) partially filled with salty water and some drops of soap. Insects feel attracted to such bright colors and drown in these traps. These traps need to be emptied from time to time, and water and soap replaced.
WP2
Understory forest plants from local origin and from a colder climate have been transplanted into locations varying in forest structure, tree species composition and macroclimate. These plants are used for studies of phenology where we regularly take photos of the plants from spring to autumn.
Bilder 791-Storsandsjö 2023:
https://svelantbruksuniversitet-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/johan_westin_slu_se/Eh-Ws_70lNRBlAMRUTQ4JjIBU5t0bD1x0LfCuLQS2VqlEQ?e=Xw0C8f