Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Award Date

2026

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Natural Resource Management

First Advisor

Lora Perkins

Abstract

Prairie ecosystem loss and invasive plant species are major ecological problems in the Great Plains. Plant-insect interactions have important consequences for both the restoration of prairie ecosystems and management of invasive plant species. Pollinating insects are vital to the sustainability of prairie ecosystems, and herbivorous insects can provide biological control of invasive plant species. Understanding how restoration strategies may influence potential pollinator communities can have important consequences for restoration sustainability and success and understanding how biological control strategies may help manage invasive plant populations can also help land managers reach restoration and conservation goals. In Ch. 2, I sought to determine how different aspects of biodiversity in restoration seed mixes affected realized co-blooming vegetation and subsequent visitation by communities of potential pollinators. I conducted an observational study of flower-visiting insect communities in experimental plots of restored tallgrass prairie vegetation produced via seed mixes varying in species richness, phylogenetic diversity (PD), and seed sources. I recorded number and genera of insects visiting blooming flowers in each plot and number and species of co-blooming plants in each plot. I used GLMMs to analyze how seed mix species richness, PD, and seed sources related to realized co-blooming plant species richness, PD, and floral abundance and how this subsequently related to flower-visitor abundance and generic richness. Seed mix species richness and PD was positively associated with realized co-blooming plant species richness and PD, which was subsequently positively associated with flower-visitor abundance and generic richness. Seed source had no effect on flower-visitor abundance or richness. In Ch. 3, I sought to evaluate the use of different biological control strategies for the management invasive plant species. I conducted a literature review of biological control of seven selected invasive plant species in the northern Great Plains, including classical biocontrol, conservation biocontrol, and targeted grazing. I determined that classical biocontrol is an effective strategy for at least 3 of these species, targeted grazing is effective for at least 3, whereas conservation biocontrol has been underexplored.

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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Rights Statement

In Copyright