Carianne Campbell1*, Louise Misztal2, Marci Caballero-Reynolds3
1Sky Island Alliance, Tucson, Arizona, USA; carianne@skyislandalliance.org
2Sky Island Alliance, Tucson, Arizona, USA; louise@skyislandalliance.org
3University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA; marcicr@email.arizona.edu
The diverse ecosystems of the Sky Islands of southeastern Arizona support an incredible species-richness, including over 4,000 species of native plants and impressive numbers of associated pollinating animals such as bees, flies, butterflies, moths, ants, birds, and bats. Changes in winter precipitation and accelerated spring warming have affected when, and at what elevation, many plant species are blooming, which will likely have implications for pollinator populations. Restoration of plant diversity and floral resources for pollinators and wildlife is critical to support adaptation in areas dominated by invasive species or unable to support mid-story pollinator plants due to lack of infiltration of water. We are conducting restoration projects along riparian corridors in southeastern Arizona, and we have made several adjustments to the standard restoration process to account for current and future climate conditions. An important first step in this process has been developing a process for building site-specific planting palettes that are climate smart and geared toward providing resources for pollinators now and into the future. This process is adaptable and scalable to any restoration site, and may be a valuable approach to ensure the conservation of a variety of pollinators as the climate continues to change.