Mentor/s
Dr. Jennifer Mattei
Participation Type
Poster
Abstract
We are living in the Anthropocene, the age of human domination, no habitat on earth has been untouched by human activity. Thus, over half of pollinator populations and one quarter of wildflower populations have been lost. Pollinators are crucial for maintaining biodiversity and our agricultural products. Meadow restoration is imperative but difficult. We tested the idea of restoring 4 acres of meadow in Stratford, Connecticut, to help increase our native pollinators by using seed mixes with 42 wildflower species. After remediation, the land was tilled and seeded in December 2015 with 30 pounds of native wildflower seed mix from Ernst Seed Company. These mixes include: PA Coastal Plain Meadow Mix, Xerces Northeastern Pollinator Mix, Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden Mix, Deer Resistant Meadow Mix, Northeast Native Wildflower Mix. Of the 42 species used to seed the area, only 14 remained in the meadow by the third year after seeding (2018). Twenty-three species not originally seeded came in from adjacent areas. By 2021, mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) dominates the site at ~80% cover. Every August, mugwort will require cutting and pulling from these areas. Keeping large wildflower meadows free from invasive, non-native plant species is expensive and time consuming.
College and Major available
Biology
Location
Digital Commons & West Campus West Building
Start Day/Time
4-29-2022 1:00 PM
End Day/Time
4-29-2022 4:00 PM
Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) Prevents Meadow Restoration, Deepening the Pollinator Crisis
Digital Commons & West Campus West Building
We are living in the Anthropocene, the age of human domination, no habitat on earth has been untouched by human activity. Thus, over half of pollinator populations and one quarter of wildflower populations have been lost. Pollinators are crucial for maintaining biodiversity and our agricultural products. Meadow restoration is imperative but difficult. We tested the idea of restoring 4 acres of meadow in Stratford, Connecticut, to help increase our native pollinators by using seed mixes with 42 wildflower species. After remediation, the land was tilled and seeded in December 2015 with 30 pounds of native wildflower seed mix from Ernst Seed Company. These mixes include: PA Coastal Plain Meadow Mix, Xerces Northeastern Pollinator Mix, Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden Mix, Deer Resistant Meadow Mix, Northeast Native Wildflower Mix. Of the 42 species used to seed the area, only 14 remained in the meadow by the third year after seeding (2018). Twenty-three species not originally seeded came in from adjacent areas. By 2021, mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) dominates the site at ~80% cover. Every August, mugwort will require cutting and pulling from these areas. Keeping large wildflower meadows free from invasive, non-native plant species is expensive and time consuming.
Students' Information
Anna Klein
Major: biology
Minor: chemistry, honors
Graduation year: 2022
Nicole Guidi
Major: biology
Minor: chemistry, honors
Graduation year: 2022