With one-third of our global food production dependent on pollinators, maintaining healthy pollinator communities is vital. Many pollinator species are currently declining worldwide, with the main cause linked to habitat loss. To combat this, researchers are turning to suburban landscapes for pollinator conservation. Incorporating native plants into suburban landscapes can benefit pollinators. However, there is limited information on how different landscape designs and growing conditions influence pollinator communities. To better understand how native plants can effectively improve suburban pollinator habitats, my research asked: 1) how does irrigation and soil composition influence the availability of floral resources, 2) which plants attract the greatest number and diversity of pollinators, and 3) how do native vs non-native landscape designs impact pollinator communities? I examined plant-pollinator interactions in 16 fully replicated and randomized experimental plots planted with 27 different native plant species that were subjected to a combination of irrigation and compost treatments. Additionally, I compared the pollinator communities of two newly developed neighborhoods - one with traditional, non-native plants and the other incorporating native plants. Pollinators were sampled during the spring, summer, and fall of 2022-2023 through visual counts. Blooming flowers for each plant species were counted concurrently. Compost additions greatly increased floral and pollinator abundance, but regular irrigation did not have a clear impact. Native-based landscapes had significantly higher levels of pollinator abundance and diversity compared to traditional landscape designs. This study shows the benefits of incorporating native plants into suburban landscapes and their potential for supporting water conservation and pollinator communities.

Mykayla Hagaman

Advisor: Dr. Patrick Bohlen