Event Type
Research Presentation
Academic Department
Biology
Start Date
25-4-2022 12:00 AM
End Date
25-4-2022 12:00 AM
Description
Recent studies have shown that anthropogenic noise can have significant impacts on the species composition of ecosystems, plant physiology, and animal behavior. While past studies have examined impacts on different organisms separately and often in the lab, this study compared responses of pollinators and plants exposed to two different locations (HT – high traffic and LT – low traffic) separated by 200 m on the Hollins University campus. Average noise levels at the HT site were 10 dB louder than at the LT site with the average maximum levels greater than 90 db. Unlike previous studies, we found that the above and below ground biomass of plants grown in HT and LT microcosms did not differ nor was there any difference in leaf stomatal density after 58 days. Before harvesting, pollinator activity at the microcosms at the HT and LT site was videotaped simultaneously on five different occasions. Analysis of these videos revealed no difference in visitation rates by pollinators between the LT and HT sites; however, a greater diversity in pollinator taxa was seen on marigolds at the LT site during July. This multilayered field study indicated that noise may have impacts on biological organisms but further study is warranted.
Noise, NOISE, Noise Impacts on Plants & Pollinators
Recent studies have shown that anthropogenic noise can have significant impacts on the species composition of ecosystems, plant physiology, and animal behavior. While past studies have examined impacts on different organisms separately and often in the lab, this study compared responses of pollinators and plants exposed to two different locations (HT – high traffic and LT – low traffic) separated by 200 m on the Hollins University campus. Average noise levels at the HT site were 10 dB louder than at the LT site with the average maximum levels greater than 90 db. Unlike previous studies, we found that the above and below ground biomass of plants grown in HT and LT microcosms did not differ nor was there any difference in leaf stomatal density after 58 days. Before harvesting, pollinator activity at the microcosms at the HT and LT site was videotaped simultaneously on five different occasions. Analysis of these videos revealed no difference in visitation rates by pollinators between the LT and HT sites; however, a greater diversity in pollinator taxa was seen on marigolds at the LT site during July. This multilayered field study indicated that noise may have impacts on biological organisms but further study is warranted.
Comments
Under the direction of Dr. Renee Godard.