Effects of burn season on bee-flower interaction diversity in the longleaf pine ecosystem

Sunday, November 13, 2022

2:20 PM – 2:35 PM PT

Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Meeting Room 121

Presenting Author(s)

MU

Michael D. Ulyshen

Research Entomologist
USDA-Forest Service
Athens, Georgia

Co-author(s)

KR

Kevin Robertson

USDA-Forest Service
Tallahassee, Florida
CD

Cinnamon Dixon

Tall Timbers Research Station
Tallahassee, Florida

Co-Author(s)

SH

Scott Horn

Entomologist
USDA-Forest Service
Athens, Georgia

Prescribed fire is used to maintain the open conditions characteristic of the longleaf pine ecosystem in the southeastern United States. While season of burn is one of many factors land managers must consider, relatively few studies have explored the ecological consequences of dormant vs. growing season burns. We sought to determine how burn season affects the diversity of interactions between bees and plants in Florida. The blocked design consisted of four burn seasons (winter, spring, summer, and fall) with eight replicates. After the first round of burns were completed, we made monthly visits to net bees from flowers in each plot. Preliminary results will be discussed.