Land Management and Plant Species Pattern Effects on Grassland Pollinator Services

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Land Management and Plant Species Pattern Effects on Grassland Pollinator Services University of North Dakota UND Scholarly Commons Theses and Dissertations Theses, Dissertations, and Senior Projects January 2020 Land Management And Plant Species Pattern Effects On Grassland Pollinator Services Leslie Blaine Yellow Hammer Follow this and additional works at: https://commons.und.edu/theses Recommended Citation Yellow Hammer, Leslie Blaine, "Land Management And Plant Species Pattern Effects On Grassland Pollinator Services" (2020). Theses and Dissertations. 3308. https://commons.und.edu/theses/3308 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses, Dissertations, and Senior Projects at UND Scholarly Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of UND Scholarly Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. LAND MANAGEMENT AND PLANT SPECIES PATTERN EFFECTS ON GRASSLAND POLLINATOR SERVICES by Leslie Blaine Yellow Hammer Bachelor of Science, University of North Dakota, 2015 A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the University of North Dakota in partial fulfilment of the requirements For the degree of Master of Science Grand Forks, North Dakota August 2020 This thesis, submitted by Leslie B. Yellow Hammer in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science from the University of North Dakota, has been read by the Faculty Advisory Committee under whom the work has been done and is hereby approved. This thesis is being submitted by the appointed advisory committee as having met all of the requirements of the School of Graduate Studies at the University of North Dakota and is hereby approved. ii PERMISSION Title Land Management and Plant Species Pattern Effects on Grassland Pollinator Services Department Biology Degree Master of Science In presenting this thesis in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a graduate degree from the University of North Dakota, I agree that the library of this University shall make it freely available for inspection. I further agree that permission for extensive copying for scholarly purposes may be granted by the professor who supervised my thesis work or, in her (or his) absence, by the Chairperson of the department or the dean of the School of Graduate Studies. It is understood that any copying or publication or other use of this thesis or part thereof for financial gain shall not be allowed without my written permission. It is also understood that due recognition shall be given to me and to the University of North Dakota in any scholarly use which may be made of any material in my thesis. Leslie B. Yellow Hammer August 2020 iii TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES .........................................................................................................vi LIST OF TABLES ...........................................................................................................vii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ...............................................................................................viii ABSTRACT .....................................................................................................................ix CHAPTER I. BACKGROUND ...........................................................................................1 II. LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT EFFECTS ON GRASSLAND POLLINATORS IN GRAND FORKS COUNTY, ND ................................10 Abstract ..........................................................................................................10 Introduction ....................................................................................................10 Methods..........................................................................................................13 Results ............................................................................................................15 Discussion ......................................................................................................17 Acknowledgments..........................................................................................19 III. EFFECTS OF FINE-SCALE PLANT COMMUNITY STRUCTURE ON POLLINATOR SERVICES PROVIDED TO RATIBIDA COLUMNIFERA ............................................................................................31 Abstract ..........................................................................................................31 Introduction ....................................................................................................32 Methods..........................................................................................................36 Results ............................................................................................................39 iv Discussion ......................................................................................................40 Acknowledgments..........................................................................................44 LITERATURE CITED ....................................................................................................51 v LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 1.1 Chapter 2 conceptual diagram ..................................................................................7 1.2 Illustration of site sample point layout and survey quadrats ....................................8 1.3 Chapter 3 conceptual diagram ..................................................................................9 2.1 Map of sampling locations in Grand Forks County, ND .........................................25 2.2 Illustration of site sample point layout and survey quadrats ....................................26 2.3 Mean (+SE) invertebrate response to grassland type and year ................................27 2.4 Mean (+SE) vegetation response to grassland type and year ...................................28 2.5 Visualization of the 2016 invertebrate morphospecies PCA ....................................29 2.6 Visualization of the 2017 invertebrate morphospecies PCA ....................................30 3.1 Predicted effect of (a) plot-scale plant diversity on the number of invertebrates captured and (b) RC plant density (g/m2) on captured invertebrate diversity ...........48 3.2 Predicted effect of RC aggregation and RC density (g/m2) on the average RC seed mass (g) per inflorescence ............................................................49 3.3. Predicted effect of plant diversity and percentage soil surface photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) on the number of Dipt.036 individuals ...............................50 vi LIST OF TABLES Table Page 2.1 Sample site information ............................................................................................20 2.2 F-values from MANOVA analysis testing site type and year effects on invertebrate and plant responses ...............................................................................21 2.3 Positively identified plant species that were encountered across 22 sample points ........................................................................................................22 2.4 Most frequently captured morphospecies .................................................................23 2.5 Loadings of the most frequently captured morphospecies on the first two PCA axes .........................................................................................24 3.1 Top explanatory models for invertebrate and seed set response variables ...............45 3.2 Model averaged coefficients ± SE across the top models for invertebrate count, diversity, and seed mass ................................................................................46 3.3. Model averaged coefficients ± SE across the top models for frequently captured morphospecies ...........................................................................................47 vii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I started off my career journey as a first generation student clueless at how to pursue a career in science. As an undergraduate freshmen, I met my advisor, Kathryn Yurkonis. With her as living inspiration and outstanding mentorship, I was able to flourish despite the challenges I faced. So to Kathryn, thank you. I thank my committee members, Brett Goodwin and Mia Park. With their support, I met the learning curve. It truly takes a team to conduct research. To all the past and present members of the Grassland Ecology lab, thank you for the hard work. I utilized many resources including the UND biology department, McNair program, and the US Masters. Thank you to the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. I appreciation my family. Their support and encouragement is immeasurable and priceless. Wopila. viii ABSTRACT Invertebrate pollinator populations are widely recognized as declining because of anthropogenic activities that include changes in the amount and quality of available habitat, competition with introduced species, increased agricultural chemical use, and climate change. Because habitat and resource availability affect pollinator populations, land management may affect pollinator presence. My first aim was to determine if pollinator communities and habitat characteristics (available bare ground and floral resources) differed between grazed and idle grasslands within the Grand Forks County Grasslands of northeastern North Dakota, USA. Although available bare ground and plant species richness differed between grassland types, floral resources and pollinator communities did not differ between grassland types. My second aim was to determine
Recommended publications
  • ROCKY MOUNTAIN BEEPLANT Peritoma (Cleome) Serrulata (Pursh) De Candolle Cleomaceae – Spiderflower Family Nancy L
    ROCKY MOUNTAIN BEEPLANT Peritoma (Cleome) serrulata (Pursh) de Candolle Cleomaceae – Spiderflower family Nancy L. Shaw and Corey L. Gucker | 2020 ORGANIZATION NOMENCLATURE Names, subtaxa, chromosome number(s), hybridization. Rocky Mountain beeplant (Peritoma serrulata [Pursh] de Candolle) is a member of the Cleomaceae or spiderflower family (Vanderpool and Iltis 2010) but was formerly placed in Range, habitat, plant associations, elevation, soils. family Capparaceae. The earliest specimen was collected in 1804 by Meriwether Lewis along the Missouri River near Vermillion in Clay County, South Dakota (Reveal et al. 1999). Recent Life form, morphology, distinguishing characteristics, reproduction. molecular work leaves the taxonomic placement of the family, genus, and species in question (see Hall 2008; Iltis et al. 2011; Roalson et al. 2015). Growth rate, successional status, disturbance ecology, importance to NRCS Plant Code. PESE7, CLSE (USDA NRCS animals/people. 2020). Subtaxa. No subspecies or varieties are Current or potential uses in restoration. recognized by the Flora of North America (Vanderpool and Iltis 2010). Welsh et al. (2015), using the synonym Cleome serrulata, recognized two intergrading phases in Utah: C. s. (Pursh) Seed sourcing, wildland seed collection, seed cleaning, storage, var. serrulata, which is widespread and C. s. var. testing and marketing standards. angusta (M. E. Jones) Tidestrom, which occurs only in Utah’s southern counties. Recommendations/guidelines for producing seed. Synonyms. Cleome serrulata Pursh, C. serrulata subsp. angusta (M. E. Jones), Peritoma inornata (Greene) Greene, P. serrulata var. albiflora Cockerell, P. serrulata var. clavata Lunell Recommendations/guidelines for producing planting stock. (Vanderpool and Iltis 2010). Common Names. Rocky Mountain beeplant, a’ pilalu (Zuni name), bee spiderflower, guaco, Navajo Recommendations/guidelines, wildland restoration successes/ spinach, pink cleome, pink bee plant, skunk weed, failures.
    [Show full text]
  • Wildflower Guide Pure Stand Seeding Rates (Pls
    WILDFLOWER GUIDE PURE STAND SEEDING RATES (PLS SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME HEIGHT BLOOM PERIOD COLOR LBS/ACRE) Abronia vilosa Desert Sand Verbena 3"–6" E 8 Achillea millefolium White Yarrow 3' M 0.5 Achillea millefolium occidentalis Western Yarrow 2' M, L 0.5 Agastache foeniculum Anise (Fragrant Giant) Hyssop 3' M, L 1.0 Agastache scrophulariifolia Purple Giant Hyssop 6' M, L 1.0 Alisma subcordatum American (Common/Mud) Plantain 3' M, L 1.8 Alisma triviale Northern Water Plantain 3' M 1.5 Allium canadense Wild Garlic 1.5' E, M 150.0 Allium cernuum Nodding Onion 1.5' M 8.0 Allium stellatum Prairie Onion 1.25' M 8.8 Anemone canadensis Canada (Meadow) Anemone 1' E, M 12.0 Anemone cylindrica Thimble Weed 2' E, M 3.5 Anemone patens Pasque Flower 6" E 6.0 Anemone virginiana Tall Thimble Weed (Anemone) 3' M 3.5 Angelica atropurpurea Angelica 7' E, M 15.0 Aquilegia canadensis Columbine 2' E, M 2.5 Aquilegia coerulea Colorado Blue Columbine 2' M 4.5 Asclepias incarnata Swamp Milkweed 4' M 20.0 Asclepias syriaca Common Milkweed 3' M 22.5 Asclepias tuberosa Butterfly Milkweed 2' M 22.5 Asclepias verticillata Whorled Milkweed 2' M, L 9.0 Aster azureus Sky Blue Aster 3' M, L 1.5 Aster ericoides Heath Aster 2' M, L 0.5 Aster laevis Smooth Blue Aster 4' M, L 1.5 Aster novae-angliae New England Aster 4' M, L 0.8 Aster sagittifolius Arrow-leaved Aster 3' L 1.0 WILDFLOWER GUIDE WILDFLOWER Aster sericeus Silky Aster 1' M, L 1.0 Aster umbellatus Flat-Topped Aster 5' M, L 1.5 Astragalus canadensis Canada Milk Vetch 3' M, L 6.0 Astragalus crassicarpus Ground
    [Show full text]
  • Insect Egg Size and Shape Evolve with Ecology but Not Developmental Rate Samuel H
    ARTICLE https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-019-1302-4 Insect egg size and shape evolve with ecology but not developmental rate Samuel H. Church1,4*, Seth Donoughe1,3,4, Bruno A. S. de Medeiros1 & Cassandra G. Extavour1,2* Over the course of evolution, organism size has diversified markedly. Changes in size are thought to have occurred because of developmental, morphological and/or ecological pressures. To perform phylogenetic tests of the potential effects of these pressures, here we generated a dataset of more than ten thousand descriptions of insect eggs, and combined these with genetic and life-history datasets. We show that, across eight orders of magnitude of variation in egg volume, the relationship between size and shape itself evolves, such that previously predicted global patterns of scaling do not adequately explain the diversity in egg shapes. We show that egg size is not correlated with developmental rate and that, for many insects, egg size is not correlated with adult body size. Instead, we find that the evolution of parasitoidism and aquatic oviposition help to explain the diversification in the size and shape of insect eggs. Our study suggests that where eggs are laid, rather than universal allometric constants, underlies the evolution of insect egg size and shape. Size is a fundamental factor in many biological processes. The size of an 526 families and every currently described extant hexapod order24 organism may affect interactions both with other organisms and with (Fig. 1a and Supplementary Fig. 1). We combined this dataset with the environment1,2, it scales with features of morphology and physi- backbone hexapod phylogenies25,26 that we enriched to include taxa ology3, and larger animals often have higher fitness4.
    [Show full text]
  • Rocky Mountain Beeplant Cleome Serrulata: a Native Annual Forb
    United States Department of Agriculture NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE Plant Materials Technical Note No. MT-104 September 2014 PLANT MATERIALS TECHNICAL NOTE ROCKY MOUNTAIN BEEPLANT Cleome serrulata Pursh A Native Annual Forb for Conservation Use in Montana and Wyoming Susan R. Winslow, Agronomist, NRCS Plant Materials Center, Bridger, Montana Rocky Mountain beeplant General Description Rocky Mountain beeplant is an annual, tap-rooted, colonizing native wildflower. It grows to a mature height of 2 to 5 feet tall. Rocky Mountain beeplant has many common names including pink bee-plant, bee spiderflower, toothed spider-flower, skunk weed, stink weed, stinking-clover, and Navajo spinach. Cleome serrulata [synonym Peritoma serrulata (Pursh) DC.], formerly a member of the Caper Family (Capparaceae), is presently classified in the Cleome Family (Cleomaceae). Genetic studies indicate Cleomaceae is closely related to the Mustard Family (Brassicaceae). Erect, smooth stems branch from the upper nodes growing into a tall, loosely formed, slightly stinky-smelling plant. Compound leaves are arranged alternately along the stem and consist of three, dark green, narrow leaflets approximately ½- to 3-inches long with minutely-toothed margins. Each of the numerous, small pink flowers have 4 sepals, 4 petals, and 6 long, “spidery” stamens curving backward as the distinctive green anthers open and dehisce pollen. The nectar-rich flowers are formed at the end of the stem in large, round showy clusters which have a fuzzy appearance. The anthesis of new flowers occurs 1 to 3 hours after sunset with no flowers opening in the daylight. Flowering begins at the bottom and proceeds up the inflorescence resulting in an extended bloom period with floral initiation and seed pod development occurring simultaneously.
    [Show full text]
  • The Importance of Vegetation Configuration in Coastal
    Biology Department Research Group Terrestrial Ecology _____________________________________________________________________________________ THE IMPORTANCE OF VEGETATION CONFIGURATION IN COASTAL DUNES TO PRESERVE DIVERSITY OF MARRAM- ASSOCIATED INVERTEBRATES IS HABITAT CONFIGURATION A DRIVER OF DIVERSITY IN DUNES? Noëmie Van den Bon Studentnumber: 01506438 Supervisor(s): Prof. Dr. Dries Bonte Dr. Martijn Vandegehuchte Scientific tutor: Ruben Van De Walle Master’s dissertation submitted to obtain the degree of Master of Science in Biology Academic year: 2019 - 2020 © Faculty of Sciences – research group Terrestrial Ecology All rights reserved. This thesis contains confidential information and confidential research results that are property to the UGent. The contents of this master thesis may under no circumstances be made public, nor complete or partial, without the explicit and preceding permission of the UGent representative, i.e. the supervisor. The thesis may under no circumstances be copied or duplicated in any form, unless permission granted in written form. Any violation of the confidential nature of this thesis may impose irreparable damage to the UGent. In case of a dispute that may arise within the context of this declaration, the Judicial Court of Gent only is competent to be notified. 2 Table of content 1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 5 1.1. The status of biodiversity and ecosystems ..........................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • F. Christian Thompson Neal L. Evenhuis and Curtis W. Sabrosky Bibliography of the Family-Group Names of Diptera
    F. Christian Thompson Neal L. Evenhuis and Curtis W. Sabrosky Bibliography of the Family-Group Names of Diptera Bibliography Thompson, F. C, Evenhuis, N. L. & Sabrosky, C. W. The following bibliography gives full references to 2,982 works cited in the catalog as well as additional ones cited within the bibliography. A concerted effort was made to examine as many of the cited references as possible in order to ensure accurate citation of authorship, date, title, and pagination. References are listed alphabetically by author and chronologically for multiple articles with the same authorship. In cases where more than one article was published by an author(s) in a particular year, a suffix letter follows the year (letters are listed alphabetically according to publication chronology). Authors' names: Names of authors are cited in the bibliography the same as they are in the text for proper association of literature citations with entries in the catalog. Because of the differing treatments of names, especially those containing articles such as "de," "del," "van," "Le," etc., these names are cross-indexed in the bibliography under the various ways in which they may be treated elsewhere. For Russian and other names in Cyrillic and other non-Latin character sets, we follow the spelling used by the authors themselves. Dates of publication: Dating of these works was obtained through various methods in order to obtain as accurate a date of publication as possible for purposes of priority in nomenclature. Dates found in the original works or by outside evidence are placed in brackets after the literature citation.
    [Show full text]
  • Landscaping for Season Long Color
    JANUARY 2019 HOME HORTICULTURE landscaping for season long color JayDee Gunnell, Horticulture Agent, Cache County Extension Sheriden Hansen, Extension Assistant Professor, Davis County Linden Greenhalgh, Extension Associate Professor, Tooele County Holly Christley, Horticulture Assistant, Tooele County Each season brings with it new colors and emotions. Many homeowners seek help in selecting plant material that will offer season-long interest in the landscape. Different colors can add variety and add interest to the landscape. Plants should add consistency and tie the landscape design together. Harmony in a landscape is often accomplished when the same color schemes are repeated. When planting for color, it is good to remember some general rules. Cool colors, such as shades of green, blue, and soft pastels, blend well together and have a tendency to make an area seem larger in appearance. These colors also suggest calmness or tranquility. Warm colors, such as shades of red, Tulips in early spring. orange, and yellow, jump out visually and act as colorful accents. These colors imply lively and inviting feelings. Complementary colors are those colors that most optimally accentuate each other. Yellow is considered complementary to purple. Red is complementary to green. Orange is complementary to blue. White is one of those universal colors, which complements all colors. There are many different plants which can add seasonal splendor to a landscape. Many plants display an array of flower colors throughout the season. Some plants offer different textures while others put on a spectacular show in the autumn as their colorful leaves proclaim the end of the season. When planting for color, it is important to think of the Butterfly Weed (Asclepias importance of foliage effect along tuberosa) blooms in July and offers Lilacs offer early spring color.
    [Show full text]
  • Waterton Lakes National Park • Common Name(Order Family Genus Species)
    Waterton Lakes National Park Flora • Common Name(Order Family Genus species) Monocotyledons • Arrow-grass, Marsh (Najadales Juncaginaceae Triglochin palustris) • Arrow-grass, Seaside (Najadales Juncaginaceae Triglochin maritima) • Arrowhead, Northern (Alismatales Alismataceae Sagittaria cuneata) • Asphodel, Sticky False (Liliales Liliaceae Triantha glutinosa) • Barley, Foxtail (Poales Poaceae/Gramineae Hordeum jubatum) • Bear-grass (Liliales Liliaceae Xerophyllum tenax) • Bentgrass, Alpine (Poales Poaceae/Gramineae Podagrostis humilis) • Bentgrass, Creeping (Poales Poaceae/Gramineae Agrostis stolonifera) • Bentgrass, Green (Poales Poaceae/Gramineae Calamagrostis stricta) • Bentgrass, Spike (Poales Poaceae/Gramineae Agrostis exarata) • Bluegrass, Alpine (Poales Poaceae/Gramineae Poa alpina) • Bluegrass, Annual (Poales Poaceae/Gramineae Poa annua) • Bluegrass, Arctic (Poales Poaceae/Gramineae Poa arctica) • Bluegrass, Plains (Poales Poaceae/Gramineae Poa arida) • Bluegrass, Bulbous (Poales Poaceae/Gramineae Poa bulbosa) • Bluegrass, Canada (Poales Poaceae/Gramineae Poa compressa) • Bluegrass, Cusick's (Poales Poaceae/Gramineae Poa cusickii) • Bluegrass, Fendler's (Poales Poaceae/Gramineae Poa fendleriana) • Bluegrass, Glaucous (Poales Poaceae/Gramineae Poa glauca) • Bluegrass, Inland (Poales Poaceae/Gramineae Poa interior) • Bluegrass, Fowl (Poales Poaceae/Gramineae Poa palustris) • Bluegrass, Patterson's (Poales Poaceae/Gramineae Poa pattersonii) • Bluegrass, Kentucky (Poales Poaceae/Gramineae Poa pratensis) • Bluegrass, Sandberg's (Poales
    [Show full text]
  • Studies on the Biology of Dipterous Stem-Boring
    STUDIES ON THE BIOLOGY OF DIPTEROUS STEM-BORING LARVAE IN GRASSES BY Oladotun Lateef Idowu B.Sc. (Ibadan) Thesis submitted to the University of London for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Entomology Department Rothamsted Experimental Station April, 1975. 11 ABSTRACT The infestation of sown grasses, especially Lolium perenne var. S24, by stem-boring dipterous larvae was studied in the field from the time of germination onwards. Grass growing on the farm at Rothamsted Experimental Station, Harpenden, Herts., during 1972 and 1973 was attacked by five species of stem-boring fly. These were, in decreasing order of abundance, Oscinella vastator (Curt.), 0. frit L., Geomyza tripunctata (Fall.), O. frit ex anthoxanthum and O. frit ex arrhenatherum. Infestation built up rapidly in the field after the emergence of the adult flies in spring, larval numbers reaching a peak in late summer and autumn before falling with high winter mortality. G. tripunctata colonised grasses earlier in the season and was numerous during the first year of a sward's life, but was supplanted by Oscinella spp., especially O. vastator, as the sward matured. The factors influencing attack were examined in laboratory and field experiments. Infestation was governed by oviposition and larval survival which were dictated by host plant conditions: parasitism was negligible. Plant species, age and stem density all affected infestation. In laboratory tests with ten grass species or varieties, Poa trivialis, Agrostis tenuis, L. perenne S24 and Reveille, L. multiflorum, Avena fatua, Phleum pretense, Holcus lanatus, Festuca rubra, and Dactylis glomerata, specific or varietal differences in oviposition rates were not necessarily followed by similar differences in ultimate larval infestation.
    [Show full text]
  • WO 2014/053403 Al 10 April 2014 (10.04.2014) P O P C T
    (12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT) (19) World Intellectual Property Organization International Bureau (10) International Publication Number (43) International Publication Date WO 2014/053403 Al 10 April 2014 (10.04.2014) P O P C T (51) International Patent Classification: (72) Inventors: KORBER, Karsten; Hintere Lisgewann 26, A01N 43/56 (2006.01) A01P 7/04 (2006.01) 69214 Eppelheim (DE). WACH, Jean-Yves; Kirchen- strafie 5, 681 59 Mannheim (DE). KAISER, Florian; (21) International Application Number: Spelzenstr. 9, 68167 Mannheim (DE). POHLMAN, Mat¬ PCT/EP2013/070157 thias; Am Langenstein 13, 6725 1 Freinsheim (DE). (22) International Filing Date: DESHMUKH, Prashant; Meerfeldstr. 62, 68163 Man 27 September 2013 (27.09.201 3) nheim (DE). CULBERTSON, Deborah L.; 6400 Vintage Ridge Lane, Fuquay Varina, NC 27526 (US). ROGERS, (25) Filing Language: English W. David; 2804 Ashland Drive, Durham, NC 27705 (US). Publication Language: English GUNJIMA, Koshi; Heighths Takara-3 205, 97Shirakawa- cho, Toyohashi-city, Aichi Prefecture 441-8021 (JP). (30) Priority Data DAVID, Michael; 5913 Greenevers Drive, Raleigh, NC 61/708,059 1 October 2012 (01. 10.2012) US 027613 (US). BRAUN, Franz Josef; 3602 Long Ridge 61/708,061 1 October 2012 (01. 10.2012) US Road, Durham, NC 27703 (US). THOMPSON, Sarah; 61/708,066 1 October 2012 (01. 10.2012) u s 45 12 Cheshire Downs C , Raleigh, NC 27603 (US). 61/708,067 1 October 2012 (01. 10.2012) u s 61/708,071 1 October 2012 (01. 10.2012) u s (74) Common Representative: BASF SE; 67056 Ludwig 61/729,349 22 November 2012 (22.11.2012) u s shafen (DE).
    [Show full text]
  • Biodiversity Changes in Vegetation and Insects Following the Creation of a Wildflower Strip
    Hochschule Rhein-Waal Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences Faculty of Communication and Environment Biodiversity changes in vegetation and insects following the creation of a wildflower strip A Case Study Bachelor Thesis by Johanna Marquardt Hochschule Rhein-Waal Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences Faculty of Communication and Environment Biodiversity changes in vegetation and insects following the creation of a wildflower strip A Case Study A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science In Environment and Energy by Johanna Marquardt Matriculation Number: 23048 Supervised by Prof. Dr. Daniela Lud Prof. Dr. Petra Blitgen-Heinecke Submission Date: 22.02.2021 Abstract With the Global Climate Change, the loss of biodiversity is one of the most current and biggest crises of today and the future. The loss i.e., the decrease of biodiversity, does not only have negative effects on vegetation and animals, but also on humans. If nature is doing well, people are doing well. In order to counteract the loss, this bachelor thesis attempts to increase plant and insect biodiversity at a specific location with insect-friendly seed mixtures and by measuring the change using comparison areas. Accordingly, the two research questions were addressed: (1) "How does plant-biodiversity change in the backyard and front yard on the seed mixture plot compared to plant-biodiversity in the backyard and front yard next to the seed mixture plot?" and (2) "How does insect-biodiversity change in the backyard and front yard on the seed mixture plot compared to insect-biodiversity in the backyard and front yard next to the seed mixture plot?" To answer these research questions and to obtain more suitable data, a wildflower strip was established in the backyard and one in the front yard, each with an adjacent reference field, to ensure equal environmental conditions and to detect changes in flora and fauna.
    [Show full text]
  • Flowers Southern Part of the State at Falls City
    Roadside Vegetation in Nebraska Roadside vegetation in Nebraska features plants that (NDOR) has developed a plan to promote the use of Benefits from these customized seed mixtures include: The first 12 to 16 feet off the surfaced roadway is mowed project is completed, NDOR crafts seed mixtures using are adapted to the state’s environmental conditions. native plant species that are most likely to thrive in the • Increased likelihood of the seeded plants germinating regularly during the growing season. NDOR develops a majority of native species, and uses common Conditions such as climate, soils, and topography different regions of the state. Native plants that occur in and becoming established on the roadside seed mixtures of short-growing grasses for this area agronomic practices. This results in improved soil differ from region to region across the state. Rainfall these regions within Nebraska are adapted for the specific immediately next to the pavement. Vegetation farther stabilization, reduced maintenance requirements, and a • Increased durability and permanence of the plants that varies from about 16 inches annually in the growing conditions. away from the roadway is mowed every 3 to 5 years. Seed visually-pleasing roadside. stabilize and beautify roadsides northwest at Harrison to 34 inches annually in the mixtures for these areas include taller grasses and flowers southern part of the state at Falls City. NDOR’s roadside seeding mixtures include cool- and • Active plant growth throughout the growing season that add color and texture to the roadside. warm-season grasses, legumes, and flowers. Species are • Increased control of soil erosion The plants you see along the roadside may occur selected as a roadside seed mixture according to the • Lower maintenance and mowing costs Roadside soils are compacted and nutrient-poor - - a naturally, may have been intentionally seeded, or may Nebraska region in which the NDOR project occurs.
    [Show full text]