Title: Trait changes and adaptation of Orange Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) to climate change and urbanization
Abstract:
Climate change and urbanization are two of the most influential human-mediated stressors currently impacting the globe. Climate change is increasing annual temperature and altering precipitation patterns, while urbanization exacerbates these changes while also imposing additional stress due to habitat modification and degradation. Not only do these stressors threaten biodiversity, but they also disrupt species interactions, such as animal-mediated pollination on which 87.5% of all flowering plant species rely. Key floral traits that mediate pollination, such as floral phenology and investment in self- or animal-pollinated flowers, may be especially responsive to environmental stressors. However, the degree to which floral traits, pollination, and plant fitness are influenced by climate change, urbanization, or their interaction is not well understood. Using a charismatic annual plant species with a mixed-mating system (producing both self- and animal-pollinated flowers), Orange Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), that is common both natural and urban habitats of the northeastern U.S., I am investigating the overarching question: How do climate change, urbanization, and their interaction affect pollination, floral and pollinator traits, and plant reproduction? Here, I will present my research addressing the effects of climate change and urbanization on key floral traits of this focal plant species through multiple lenses, including herbarium collections, observations of natural populations, and manipulative field experiments. Increasing temperatures due to climate change advance floral phenology and reduce investment in animal-pollinated flower production, while urbanization further advances phenology, but increases investment in animal-pollinated flower production. Common gardens of rural and urban populations indicate that plasticity may be the mechanism through which phenology is altered, but differences in floral investment may be an intrinsic trait. Uncovering the both the influence of human-mediated stressors, as well as the mechanism through which traits are altered, is an important first step in mitigating the loss of biodiversity and species interactions.
Ashman Lab
Wednesday, January 24th, 2023
12:00PM
Langley A219B