Hidden among the rugged terrain of the Kaibab Plateau, a tiny cactus species resembles a plump hedgehog with its long, thin spines. Known as the Kaibab pincushion cactus, this Pediocactus species is drawing concern from ecologists due to its dwindling population over recent years.
These miniature cacti have a unique survival mechanism—they retreat underground when faced with stress, complicating efforts to gather accurate population data. Despite this challenge, Northern Arizona University researchers are focusing their studies on the pollinators of the cactus’s delicate yellow flowers, which bloom in early spring.
Over the course of three years, researchers meticulously recorded information about the species of pollinators and their interaction times with the flowers. In comparison to a related cactus species that experienced very low flower visitation in 2016 and 2017, the recent surge in pollinator activity was unexpected.
On average, bees visited ten flowers each minute, with sweat bees being the most frequent guests, alongside flies that nestled into the flower cups. The research team is also cultivating pollinated seeds in a greenhouse, aiming to evaluate the effectiveness of these pollinators.
Pollinators play a crucial role in the reproductive cycle of flowers, contributing significantly to biodiversity through seed production. By identifying which pollinators visit Pediocactus flowers, the research contributes to efforts to preserve the genetic diversity of this compact, native cactus.
This Earth Note was written by Danika Thiele and produced by KNAU and the Sustainable Communities Program at Northern Arizona University.
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