Abstract Detail

Studying Plant Pollinator Interactions in Changing Environments: Approaches, Lessons and Future Directions

Chang, Shumei [1], Byers, Diane L [2].

Studying plant pollinator interactions in changing environments: approaches, lessons and future directions.

The mutualistic interaction between plants and their pollinators is not only key for the health of terrestrial ecosystems but is also fundamental for human food production. This essential mutualism has been significantly impacted by the recent rapid changes in our natural environment due to invasive species, climate change and habitat loss and fragmentation. Understanding the range and the nature of such impacts require solid science in order to develop strategies against any negative consequences. Considering the importance of this mutualism and the complexity of factors involved in environmental changes, new approaches and novel techniques are critically needed. For example, recent studies have used novel approaches to combine the information from the past (e.g., insect or plant collection records) and present to make an informed projection into the future. Others take community or larger scale genetic approaches to assess current responses to these environmental changes. Additionally, outreach projects that recruit citizen scientists to collect data in a large geographic scale is another example of a fruitful approach to simultaneously collect relevant data and raise public awareness about these important issues. New collaborations that bring together the strength of these research topics will be key for success in evaluating the changes as well as devising solutions to some of the problems created by human mediated environmental changes.

1 - University Of Georgia, Plant Biology, 2502 Miller Plant Sciences, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
2 - Illinois State University, Department Of Biological Sciences, CAMPUS BOX 4120, NORMAL, IL, 61790-4120, USA

Keywords:
plant-pollinator interactions
climate change
habitat fragmentation
invasive plants
environmental change
methods.

Presentation Type: Symposium Presentation
Session: SY08, Studying plant pollinator interactions in changing environments: approaches, lessons and future directions
Location: Chatham Ballroom - C/Savannah International Trade and Convention Center
Date: Tuesday, August 2nd, 2016
Time: 1:30 PM
Number: SY08SUM
Abstract ID:228
Candidate for Awards:None