pollinator observation

Knowledge graph centered on pollinator observation with 76 nodes and 336 connections. Top connected: Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, Gothic, A global test of the pollination syndrome hypothes, Two-form Bumble Bee, Bumble Bees.

Method synopsis

Systematic observation of plant-pollinator interactions along fixed transects with timed observations and selective insect capture for identification. Plants receiving sufficient visits are analyzed for pollinator diversity metrics.

Synthesized from method descriptions across 114 papers using this protocol.

Procedure from a recent peer-reviewed implementation

Steps below were extracted from the most recent peer-reviewed implementation of this protocol in the corpus — Removing flowers of a generalist plant changes pollinator visitation, composition, and interaction network structure (2022), Ecosphere. The protocol was originally introduced by Heterogeneity among floral visitors leads to discordance between removal and deposition of pollen (1991), Ecology. Implementations in other papers (listed below) may differ.

1. Conduct pollinator observations
   Observed plant-pollinator interactions across peak flowering period with standardized observation sessions. Each plot observed twice per day (morning 8:30 AM-12:00 PM and afternoon 1:00-5:00 PM) for 15 minutes per session. Researchers slowly moved throughout entire plot, scanning all open flowers and recording all floral visits by pollinators. Randomized order of plot observations before each daily session and swapped treatments after each observation period.
   Quantities: 6 observation sessions per plot per week, 15 minutes per session, 90 minutes total per plot per week, 30 hours per week across all plots, 90 hours total over 3-week study periodDuration: 3 weeks (July 10-28, 2017), 6 sessions per week per plotConditions: Weather favorable for pollinator activity (temperature above 15°C, not raining or excessively windy <16 kmh). Only observed flowering plant species present during observation sessions to minimize sampling bias.
   Equipment: data recording sheets, identification guides
2. Record interaction data
   Recorded each instance when an insect contacted reproductive parts of an open flower. Noted plant species visited and identified pollinators to species or lowest taxonomic resolution possible in field. When species-level identification was not possible, specimens were identified as unique morphospecies and given functional names. Did not destructively sample pollinators to avoid influencing plant-pollinator interactions in plots during subsequent observation periods.
   9489 total pollinator visits recorded across 15 plant species and 60 pollinator species

Typical Equipment

• measuring equipment
• nets
• plastic vials
• labels
• freezer
• pins

Output Measurements

• pollinator visit counts
• species richness
• species diversity
• floral abundance

Papers Using This Protocol (114)

Species Studied With This Protocol

Places Where Used