Warming temperatures are changing the relationship between wildflowers and their pollinators on Colorado’s Pikes Peak. A recent study from the University of Colorado Boulder highlights how many plants and pollinating insects are emerging earlier in spring than they did a century ago. But not all species are keeping pace, which could spell trouble for these vital creatures.
Julian Resasco, the study’s senior author, points out that pollinators are crucial for our ecosystems, affecting everything from wildflowers to the food we eat. Historical data spanning back to 1910, when ecologist Frederic Clements began documenting these interactions, gives researchers a chance to see long-term trends amid climate change.
Over the last hundred years, Colorado has warmed by an average of 2.9°F, with winter temperatures increasing even more—by 3.3°F. This warming has also led to reduced snowpack, which affects water availability for many mountain species during spring and summer.
Warming temperatures and earlier snowmelt are essential cues for plants and insects to wake up from their winter dormancy. However, not all species respond uniformly. For instance, between 2019 and 2022, researchers studied 25 wild pollinator species and 11 flowering plants, finding that wildflowers are blooming about 17 days earlier than they did a century ago, while pollinators are flying about 11 days sooner.
Interestingly, nearly 80% of the observed plant-pollinator interactions have more overlap in their active periods than before. While this may seem good for now, it could lead to mismatches in the future. The research suggests that plants are advancing their flowering times faster than pollinators are emerging. For example, the western bumblebee is now emerging 12 days later than it did in the past, complicating its quest for food and increasing its vulnerability.
This mismatch could be particularly troubling when we consider that many pollinator species have already faced serious declines. The western bumblebee has dropped by at least 57% since 1998, largely due to habitat loss, disease, and pesticide use. As Resasco notes, the potential disconnect between pollinator activity and plant flowering could add yet another layer of stress for these already struggling species.
Pollinators are essential for the reproduction of about 75% of the world’s flowering plants and contribute to 35% of our food crops. Their decline could have significant consequences for biodiversity and agriculture.
As our climate continues to change, the future of these important creatures hangs in the balance. Researchers like Resasco stress the importance of conserving pollinators to maintain healthy ecosystems. They remind us that the relationship between plants and their pollinators is delicate and needs attention to ensure it can survive the challenges ahead.
For more detailed insights into pollinator research and climate change impacts, check out studies on platforms like the American Naturalist.
