Early Snowmelt’s Effects on Floral Traits and Rewards of Two Subalpine Plant Species
Abstract
The date of spring snowmelt is advancing in numerous alpine and subalpine ecosystems due to both rising temperatures and reduced snowpack associated with climate change. Snowmelt is a critical source of water for plants in subalpine ecosystems, so changes in snowmelt timing can affect many important traits in subalpine plants. In particular, both floral traits and rewards of subalpine plants can be altered by early snowmelt. While several field studies have examined the effects of snowmelt timing on floral traits and rewards, it is vital to consider numerous species responses since there is high variability in responses to early snowmelt. Examining species that bloom at different points in the season is especially important since they may respond differently to snowmelt timing. This study focuses on two closely related species in the Delphinium genus that have similar floral morphologies but bloom at different points in the season. We used an experimental manipulation of snowmelt timing at a field site in the Rocky Mountains to examine the effects on floral traits and floral rewards. Floral sizem nectar rewards and soil moisture were measured weekly during floral anthesis. Using three years of floral trait data, we found that snowmelt timing was associated with smaller flowers in D. nuttallianum and had no effect on floral size in D. barbeyi. The only significant changes in nectar rewards associated with early snowmelt was higher nectar volume in D. nuttallianum in early snowmelt plots in 2023. We also examined the correlation between soil moisture and floral traits and rewards. In 2023, soil moisture had a positive relationship with floral size and nectar volume and a negative relationship with nectar sugar concentration for both species. In 2021 and 2022, we used less precise soil moisture measurements and found less consistent results. Shifts in floral traits and rewards due to climate change could have consequences for the two Delphinium species and pollinator populations.
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