Paired early-late flowering site comparison (Boraginaceae)

Knowledge graph centered on Paired early-late flowering site comparison (Boraginaceae) with 66 nodes and 129 connections. Top connected: Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, Two-form Bumble Bee, Bumble Bees, Yellow-fronted Bumble Bee, Buff-tailed Bumble Bee.

Method synopsis

Comparative study design using seven pairs of geographically close but phenologically different plant populations to test adaptation to flowering time. Sites within pairs were closer to each other than to other sites but differed in snowpack conditions affecting flowering timing.

Synthesized from method descriptions across 1 paper using this protocol.

Procedure as described in the canonical source

Steps below were extracted from the paper that introduces this protocol — Seasonal change in a pollinator community and the maintenance of style length variation in Mertensia fusiformis (Boraginaceae) (2011), Annals of Botany. Implementations in other papers (listed below) may differ.

1. Establish study sites and observation plots
   Selected 14 sites in vicinity of Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, comprising seven pairs of 'early' and 'late' sites. Paired sites were closer to each other than to other sites, but separated by up to 2.8 km and 187 m elevation difference. Each site had an observation plot of approximately 300 m² established using belt transects bisecting each plot.
   Quantities: 14 sites total (7 pairs), plots approximately 300 m² each, sites separated by up to 2.8 km horizontally and 187 m verticallyDuration: Initial site establishment, then used throughout flowering seasonConditions: Sub-alpine meadows around Crested Butte, Colorado, elevation differences of up to 187 m between paired sites
   Equipment: belt transects
2. Flag and monitor phenology of study plants
   Within each observation plot, flagged 30 M. fusiformis plants with ≥5 buds growing inside the transects. Transect widths were adjusted according to plant density so total would be approximately 30 plants. Monitored daily to characterize flowering phenology and style length distribution within each plot.
   Quantities: 30 plants per site (420 total), minimum 5 buds per plantDuration: Daily monitoring throughout flowering period from 7-14 days after snowmeltConditions: Flowering begins 7-14 days after snowmelt, individual flowering plants only produce approximately 50 flowers
   Equipment: plant flags

Typical Equipment

• belt transects
• plant flags

Output Measurements

• flowering phenology differences
• environmental condition differences
• pollinator community composition differences

Papers Using This Protocol (1)

Species Studied With This Protocol

Places Where Used