Single-species pollinator removal experiment

Knowledge graph centered on Single-species pollinator removal experiment with 44 nodes and 164 connections. Top connected: Hummingbird, Bombus, Delphinium, Bombus terrestris, Bombus appositus.

Method synopsis

Controlled removal of the most abundant Bombus species from plots using targeted aerial netting during 4-hour manipulation periods, compared to 4-hour control periods with no removal. Pollinator exclusion bags used to control timing of pollination exposure.

Synthesized from method descriptions across 3 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 — Community context mediates effects of pollinator loss on seed production (2023), Ecosphere. The protocol was originally introduced by Diptera behavioral response to targeted <i>Bombus</i> removal (2011). Implementations in other papers (listed below) may differ.

1. Establish study plots
   Established 20×20-m plots containing comparable densities of target D. barbeyi flowers throughout the study system. Sites separated by at least 1 km to ensure independence of pollinator communities.
   Quantities: 14 sampling events across 13 unique sites, 20×20-m plot sizeDuration: Maintained over 3 study years (2011, 2013, 2014)Conditions: Subalpine meadows at 2900 m elevation
   Equipment: measuring tape for plot establishment
2. Baseline pollinator surveys
   Performed timed aerial netting within 20×20-m plots to survey Bombus richness and abundance. Two days after each control period, performed manipulation surveys to identify the most abundant bumble bee species for removal.
   Quantities: 30 focal D. barbeyi individuals selected per site for seed production assessmentDuration: Timed aerial netting sessions, 2 days after control periodsConditions: During active pollinator foraging periods
   Equipment: aerial nets, specimen vials, coolers for bee storage
3. Pollinator exclusion setup
   Covered racemes of immature floral buds on assigned half of mature D. barbeyi flowers with pollinator exclusion bags to prevent pollination outside study periods.

Typical Equipment

• aerial nets
• specimen vials
• coolers
• pollinator exclusion bags
• timers

Output Measurements

• seed production per flower
• pollinator abundance changes

Papers Using This Protocol (3)

Species Studied With This Protocol