NC State University | Global Change Forum

  • SE CASC
    • About
    • Science Planning
      • Science Planning and Funding Decisions
    • News
    • Partner Resources
    • Products
      • Conservation Corridor
      • Connectivity Modeling
      • Global Change Monitoring Portal
    • Early Career Climate Forum
  • Science
    • SE CASC Science Projects
    • Appalachian LCC Projects
    • Caribbean LCC Projects
    • Gulf Coastal Plains and Ozarks LCC Projects
    • Peninsular Florida LCC Projects
    • South Atlantic LCC Projects
    • Gulf Coast Prairie LCC Projects
    • Internal
  • Partners
    • LCCs
      • Appalachian LCC
      • Caribbean LCC
      • Gulf Coastal Plains and Ozarks LCC
      • Gulf Coast Prairie LCC
      • Peninsular Florida LCC
      • South Atlantic LCC
      • LCC Staff
    • Tribes & Indigenous Peoples
    • SE Conservation Adaptation Strategy
    • The Atlantic Coast Joint Venture
    • The Eastern Forest Environmental Threat Assessment Center
    • Southeast Regional Climate Hub
  • Publications
    • Journal Articles and Reports
    • Fact Sheets
    • Annual Reports
    • Science Planning Documents
  • People
    • Staff
    • Faculty Affiliates
    • University Consortium PIs
    • Global Change Fellows
    • Southeast Researchers
    • Research Profile
  • Contact Us
    • Email Contact
    • Map and Directions
  • Resources
    • Background Information About Climate Change
    • Downscaled Climate Projections for the Southeast
    • Southeast Global Change Monitoring Portal
    • Climate Change Impact Assessments
    • Climate Adaptation Resources and Plans
    • Decision Making Guides: Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
    • Media
rss
twitter
email

Laura Hamon

Tags: Fire, plant-insect interactions, Pollination, Venus flytrap

Laura Hamon

2018-19 Global Change Fellow
Graduate Student, Department of Applied Ecology
North Carolina State University

Statement of purpose:  Most plants depend on insects for sexual reproduction. Decreased pollinator visitation can result in reduced fruit or seed set, potentially limiting abundance and population growth for plant species. This is particularly concerning in the case of rare plants, where restricted ranges and disjointed populations can result in disrupted plant-pollinator interactions. Climate change and habitat fragmentation are expected to further interrupt plant-pollinator interactions. Therefore, there is an increasing need to understand the role of pollinators to the persistence of rare plants. Despite this, the pollination ecology of many rare plants remains unknown. In addition, it is unclear how shifting disturbance regimes could affect interactions between rare plants and their pollinator communities. In the longleaf pine ecosystems of the southeastern United States, many plants require frequent fires to decrease light competition, increase nutrient availability, and induce germination. Fire can also shape the abundance and diversity of pollinator communities. As the intensity and frequency of fire is projected to be altered by climate change, it is crucial to be able to predict how fire-dependent rare plants and their pollinators in these ecosystems will be consequently influenced.

Description of research: My doctoral research focuses on the pollination ecology of Venus flytrap, a unique carnivorous plant endemic only to the Coastal Plain of North and South Carolina. Venus flytrap is a rare, fire-dependent species threatened by development, poaching, and fire suppression. In a past study, we found that Venus flytrap is pollen limited, meaning that it requires adequate pollination for increased seed set. We also found that the richness of its pollinator communities changes with increasing time post-fire. To determine which pollinators are a management priority for Venus flytrap, my future research will identify which flower visitors are its most effective pollinators. I will also describe other key aspects of its pollination biology in sites of differing fire history. In addition, I am interested in identifying the mechanisms by which Venus flytrap partitions its pollinator and prey communities. By examining the pollination ecology of this rare plant, I aim to shed more light on the role of pollinators to plant conservation. This research aligns with DOI Priorities 1. Creating a conservation stewardship legacy second only to Teddy Roosevelt.

Global Change Fellows Program

The Global Change Fellows Program is designed to provide financial, scientific, and professional development support for graduate students who are interested in multi-disciplinary research related to climate and global change. Sponsored by the DOI Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center and NC State University. Applications for nominations are typically available in January of each year.

Join the Global Change Fellows LinkedIn Group

LinkedIn

NCSU Global Change Fellows

2018-19 Global Change Fellows

Chandramauli Awasthi

September 18, 2018

Emilee Briggs

September 18, 2018

Dol Chalise

September 18, 2018

Caitlin Kempski

September 18, 2018

Zekun Lin

September 18, 2018

Bonnie Myers

September 18, 2018

Deja Perkins

September 18, 2018

Andre Taylor

September 18, 2018

Danielle Lawson

January 11, 2018

Mike Madden

January 11, 2018

Tina Mozelewski

January 11, 2018
NC State University
USGS

In Partnership

  • North Carolina State University
  • Southeast Regional Cimate Hub (SERCH)
  • The Global Change Forum

About the SE CASC

  • About Us
  • Funded Projects
  • Staff
  • Internal

Sign up for the SE CASC Newsletter!

Contact Us

Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center
NC State University
127 David Clark Labs
Campus Box 7617
Raleigh, NC 27695-7617
Phone: 919.515.7687
Send us an email
Map and Directions

All Rights Reserved | The Southeast Climate Science Center
North Carolina State University