Sexual reproduction in Arctic and subarctic flowering plants is often overlooked, but has important ecological and evolutionary consequences. Berry and other fruit production for many species in Alaska requires the movement of pollen by pollinating insects from one plant to another. Changes in the composition and structure of plant communities due to invasive plant establishment and changes in the dominance of native species are likely affecting plant reproductive ecology in diverse ways in the state. Our research focuses on pollen limitation of fruit and seed production in tundra systems, plant reproductive interactions, pollinator-mediated selection on floral traits, and insect pollinator community composition.
We collaborate with a number of researchers from other institutions including: Christa Mulder, Katie Spellman, Justen Whittall, Courtney Amundson, Steve Gisler, Loriel Caverly, and Jessica Schneider.
More information and studies on plant reproductive ecology can be found on the ACCS Publications Page. Some key publications regarding Plant Reproductive Ecology include:
- The Role of Reproductive Assurance in the Arctic
- Reproductive Ecology and Severe Pollen Limitation in the Polychromic Tundra Plant
- Effects of non-native Melilotus albus on pollination and reproduction in two boreal shrubs
- Effects of invasive plant patch size and distance on the pollination and reproduction of native boreal plants
For more information on Pollinator Diversity and Conservation Status, click the button below: