| Abstract
Background: Exclosures are a common method for quantifying the effects of animal pollinators
on flowering plant species. However, a lack of standardized designs or clear descriptions of
previously implemented exclosure designs decreases replicability in pollination studies and
reduces scientific rigor.
Methods and materials: We summarized previous descriptions of pollination exclosure designs,
and developed/tested a novel exclosure design in alpine environments on the Beartooth Plateau
in northern Wyoming, USA. This exclosure design consists of a cylindrical internal wire frame,
integrated ground stakes, and various mesh materials attached to the exterior.
Results and discussion: Exclosures on the plateau showed high efficacy in inhibiting insects from
pollinating flowering plants, and nearly all of these exclosures remained functional throughout
the time they were in place. Our updated exclosure design is effective, inexpensive, easy to
produce, and widely applicable across different ecosystems and experimental design types. |