Direct and indirect effects of episodic frost on plant growth and reproduction in subalpine wildflowers

摘要: Frost is an important episodic event that damages plant tissues through the formation of ice crystals at or below freezing temperatures. In montane regions, where climate change expected to cause earlier snow melt but may not last frost-free day year, plants bud might be directly impacted by frost damage flower buds and reproductive structures. However, indirect effects mediated changes in plant-pollinator interactions have rarely been explored. We examined direct pollinator-mediated on three wildflower species southwestern Colorado, USA, Delphinium barbeyi (Ranunculaceae), Erigeron speciosus (Asteraceae), Polemonium foliosissimum (Polemoniaceae), simulating moderate (-1 -5°C) events early spring situ. Subsequently, we measured growth, upon flowering morphology phenology. Throughout season, monitored pollinator visitation collected seeds measure reproduction. found had species-specific effects. two species. significantly reduced size, total flowers produced, seed production Erigeron. Furthermore, aboveground survival for Polemonium. no Delphinium. When considered impacts visitation, one species, Erigeron, incurred indirect, negative reproduction floral traits along with Overall, exhibited responses frost, thus suggesting play role affecting communities under change.