Skip Navigation

EconBotEdDL

Home Browse Resources Submission Instructions About Help Advanced Search

Browse Resources

Conservation Targets Under Global Change Collection

Resources
View Resource Effects of frost on wildflowers: an unexpected consequence of climate change--image 06 of 22

Ants (Formica obscuripes) searching for extrafloral nectar on the involucral bracts around a flower head in bud in the frost-sensitive herb Helianthella quinquenervis. The ants help to deter oviposition by flies (Tephritidae) that try to lay eggs on the flower heads. Because fly larvae eat developing seeds, the ants benefit the plants. Thus, the ant / herb interaction represents a mutualism....

 

Publisher: EcoEd Digital Library

Thumbnail
http://www.esajournals.org/doi/abs/10.2307/1936460
View Resource Effects of frost on wildflowers: an unexpected consequence of climate change--image 07 of 22

A meadow with thousands of plants of Helianthella quinquenervis (aspen sunflower, Asteraceae) at peak bloom. This species is a common long-lived perennial plant in meadows near the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory. This photo was taken during a year without frost damage. Compare the presence and density of sunflowers with the photograph of the same meadow in a year when frost damage killed...

 

Publisher: EcoEd Digital Library

Thumbnail
View Resource Effects of frost on wildflowers: an unexpected consequence of climate change--image 08 of 22

Photo of a meadow with thousands of Helianthella quinquenervis (aspen sunflower, Asteraceae) plants. In the year that this photo was taken, a springtime frost killed all but a few flower buds. Compare with the photo of the same meadow in a year without frost. The lack of flowers in years having springtime frost has ecological consequences. There is no pollen or nectar for pollinators (bees and...

 

Publisher: EcoEd Digital Library

Thumbnail
View Resource Effects of frost on wildflowers: an unexpected consequence of climate change--image 11 of 22

Results of a demographic study of Helianthella quinquenervis (aspen sunflower, Asteraceae) within plots at 2,900m at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory. Note that seedlings are not common in most years, and the overall population seems to be declining. The lack of seedlings in most years is a consequence of frost damage to flower buds the previous year (so no seeds were produced). The...

 

Publisher: EcoEd Digital Library

Thumbnail
View Resource Effects of frost on wildflowers: an unexpected consequence of climate change--image 12 of 22

Excavated plants of Helianthella quinquenervis (aspen sunflower, Asteraceae). H. quinquenervis is a long-lived perennial (some individuals can live 50-75 years). Note that each plant has multiple ramets from a single root.

 

Publisher: EcoEd Digital Library

Thumbnail
← Previous Next →