Gonzalez-Kreisberg, Daniel (Harvard College). Mentor: Brian Haggerty. Effects of Pollinators on Flowering in Campanula americana.

Abstract: Many studies have investigated effects of pollinators on plant morphology, life history, and floral longevity; floral production (ratio of mature buds to maintained flowers) has been consistently neglected. This study investigated the relationship between the flowering phenology of Campanula americana , including both floral production and a reexamination of floral longevity, and its pollinators, primarily bumblebees ( Bombus spp.) and halictid bees, as well as a potential correlated factor, nutrient levels. This study employed a fully crossed two treatment experimental design, including an exclusion treatment and a nutrient supplementation treatment, at two low elevation sites in Giles County , VA. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) results indicated that pollinator exclusion decreased floral production rates and wilting rates, increased floral number per individual, and did not affect bud production rates. Repeated measures analysis results showed an increase in the effects of pollinator exclusion as the flowering season progressed. Both ANOVA and repeated measures analysis failed to find any significant effect to any dependent variable due to nutrient supplementation. Thus, while floral production rates are related to pollinator behavior, bud production rates are not influenced by this environmental factor.