Proximity to wind turbines altered plant–pollinator dynamics in prairie and sagebrush ecosystems in Wyoming, USA

Wind turbines influence several abiotic conditions in the environments they are sited in and may influence the behavior and movement of insect pollinators. It is unknown how operating turbines influence plant–pollinator interactions. To investigate if pollination dynamics could be affected by the presence of wind turbines, we recorded videos of pollinating insects visiting flowers on blooming, native plants within a wind energy facility, and at five sites located 4–28 km from operating turbines. We calculated the length of interactions between insect pollinators and flowers, and identified individual behaviors exhibited by visiting insects. Insects interacted with flowers for longer periods of time when closer to wind turbines. As distance to turbine increased, the probability that pollinating insects would crawl into blooms or drink nectar decreased, while the probability that they would rest on plants increased. These behaviors also varied with changes in wind speed, air temperature, and the number of flowers on plants. Our study is one of the first to offer evidence that plant–pollinator interactions could be altered by turbines or abiotic changes caused by turbines. This topic merits further investigation to help land managers and conservation organizations make informed decisions about future turbine siting, restoration, and conservation efforts.