Effects of patch size and light conditions on the visitation rates of flying pollinators to common marigolds (Claendula officinalis).

Abstract

Biotic pollination takes place in 87.5% of all angiosperms and utilizes animals to transfer pollen. Our study focused on how patch size and light conditions affect pollinator visitation rates to common marigolds. We hypothesized that patches receiving more sunlight would receive more pollinators than shaded patches and that larger patches would receive more pollinators than smaller patches. We manipulated patch size and light conditions by placing marigold plots of different sizes (small, medium, and large) onto a field in areas that received differing amounts of sunlight throughout the day. We then counted the number of pollinators visiting each patch for 10 minute intervals four times a day. A linear regression analysis indicated a significant positive relationship between light availability and pollinators, supporting our first hypothesis. The results of an ANOVA test demonstrated a significant difference between the number of pollinators visiting the large patches over the small patches, supporting our second hypothesis. Our findings corroborate studies of a similar nature that examine patch size and light conditions in correlation with pollinator visitation rates. These studies have global implications for the management of agricultural lands.