Plant-Pollinator Interactions in a Northwest Arum Related to Plant Traits but not Riparian Forest Management

Abstract

Abstract Studies in Pacific Northwest riparian forests highlight the role of forest management in conserving target species, but rarely consider impacts on interspecies relationships such as pollination. We investigated plant-pollinator interactions among a native species of rove beetle, Pelecomalius testaceum, and a widespread native wetland plant species in the Pacific Northwest, Lysichiton americanus (western skunk cabbage), in an experimental framework comparing three riparian forest management regimes. Our study addressed the central question: what factors best predict pollinating beetle abundance on L. americanus in a managed Northwest landscape? We measured P. testaceum abundance on skunk cabbages in three riparian treatments in a managed forest: (1) an unlogged riparian zone, (2) a logged riparian zone with a limited buffer corridor, and (3) a clear-cut riparian zone with no remaining corridor. Across this diversity of forest treatments, we also measured inflorescence temperature, foliar damage, a...