Date of Award

2019

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

First Advisor

Saarinen, Emily

Area of Concentration

Environmental Studies

Abstract

We live in a world where anthropogenic activity and its consequences (pollution, habitat destruction, climate change, etc.) have led to the loss of pollinator biodiversity. Both agricultural operations and general ecosystems require pollination for stability. Biodiversity provides an excellent ecological buffer for compromised species that may disappear due to environmental stressors, disease, and genetic bottlenecks. In fact, bats, birds, butterflies, beetles, and even some species of lizards can provide pollination services to plants. Some flowering plants rely on specialist pollinators for their continued persistence in an ecological community, and the vulnerability of these species can lead to disruptions in the stability of plant-pollinator networks. However, many campaigns and other efforts regarding pollinator conservation focus on the single managed species Apis mellifera. Given the importance of pollination services, care must be taken to raise awareness and promote education about pollinators. College campuses provide an excellent opportunity for both awareness and education and should be considered in large scale conservation efforts. New College of Florida, a small liberal arts school in Sarasota, Florida, has several resources available for pollinator conservation and can act as a model for other institutions.

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