Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius, Fabaceae) and the pollination and reproductive success of three Garry oak-associated plant species
Date
2013-05-24
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Abstract
A growing number of studies are observing an effect of invasive species on the pollination and reproductive success of co-flowering plants, over and above direct competition for resources. In this study, I investigate the effect of the invader Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius) on the pollinator visitation, pollen deposition, and female reproductive output of three co-flowering members (two native, one exotic) of the critically endangered Garry oak grassland ecosystem on the Saanich peninsula of Vancouver Island. Higher pollinator sharing between native Camassia leichtlinii and Scotch broom increased pollen deposition and fruit set in invaded sites, despite a decreased visitation rate. Conversely, the invader had little detectable effect on the native Collinsia parviflora or the exotic Geranium molle where pollinator sharing was low. This study provides evidence that Scotch broom neither competes for pollination with natives, nor facilitates invasion of other exotics in Garry oak ecosystem remnants.
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Botany, Ecology
Citation
Muir, J. (2013). Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius, Fabaceae) and the pollination and reproductive success of three Garry oak-associated plant species (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/27716