Effects of lakeshore development on pollinator service, seed bank composition, and stewardship of Atlantic Coastal Plain flora in Nova Scotia, Canada

Pollination processes for Sabatia kennedyana were explored in large, small, and disturbed sites (n=9) on three lakes in the Tusket River watershed, Nova Scotia, Canada. Soil cores samples (n=974) were taken at sites adjacent to shoreline development and were compared to non-disturbed sites. Pollinator visitation rates showed a significant effect of site ( P=0.0006) with disturbed sites being significantly lower than small sites (P=0.0002) and large sites (P=0.0018). Behavioural differences of pollinators were reported between sites. Seed bank densities were non-significantly different between disturbed and non-disturbed sites. Patterns of seed density varied among lakes (P =0.0360) and between disturbed and non-disturbed sites ( P=<0.0010). Reduced pollinator service is explained by loss of nearby pollinator habitat. Understanding differences in seed bank composition is less clear and requires further investigation. The importance of local knowledge and stewardship could play a fundamental role in the recovery of these species.