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• 91. [Article] The Boiling Springs Lake Metavirome: Charting the Viral Sequence-Space of an Extreme Environment Microbial Ecosystem

  Viruses are the most abundant organisms on Earth, yet their collective evolutionary history, biodiversity and functional capacity is not well understood. Viral metagenomics offers a potential means of ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Boiling Springs Lake Metavirome: Charting the Viral Sequence-Space of an Extreme Environment Microbial Ecosystem Author: Diemer, Geoffrey Scott Year: 2014 Viruses are the most abundant organisms on Earth, yet their collective evolutionary history, biodiversity and functional capacity is not well understood. Viral metagenomics offers a potential means of establishing a more comprehensive view of virus diversity and evolution, as vast amounts of new sequence data becomes available for comparative analysis.Metagenomic DNA from virus-sized particles (smaller than 0.2 microns in diameter) was isolated from approximately 20 liters of sediment obtained from Boiling Springs Lake (BSL) and sequenced. BSL is a large, acidic hot-spring (with a pH of 2.2, and temperatures ranging from 50°C to 96°C) located in Lassen Volcanic National Park, USA. BSL supports a purely microbial ecosystem comprised largely of Archaea and Bacteria, however, the lower temperature regions permit the growth of acid- and thermo-tolerant Eukarya. This distinctive feature of the BSL microbial ecosystem ensures that virus types infecting all domains of life will be present. The metagenomic sequence data was used to characterize the types of viruses present within the microbial ecosystem, to ascertain the extent of genetic diversity and novelty comprising the BSL virus assemblage, and to explore the genomic and structural modalities of virus evolution.Metagenomic surveys of natural virus assemblages, including the survey of BSL, have revealed that the diversity within the virosphere far exceeds what has currently been determined through the detailed study of viruses that are relevant to human health and agriculture. The number of as-yet-uncharacterized virus protein families present in the BSL assemblage was estimated by clustering analysis. Genomic context analysis of the predicted viral protein sequences in the BSL dataset indicates that most of the putative uncharacterized proteins are endemic or unique to BSL, and are largely harbored by known virus types. A comparative metagenomic analysis approach identified a set of conserved, yet uncharacterized BSL protein sequences that are commonly found in other similar and dissimilar environments.New sequence data from metagenomic surveys of natural virus assemblages was also used to better characterize and define known virus protein families, as some of the viruses found in the BSL environment represent distant relatives of well-characterized isolates. By comparing viral genes and protein sequences from these highly divergent species, it is possible to better understand the dynamics of adaptation and evolution in the virosphere. Additionally, as structures of virus proteins continue to be experimentally determined by X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy, a merger of structural and metagenomic sequence data allows the opportunity to observe the structural dynamics underlying virus protein evolution.Capsid (structural) proteins from two distinct Microviridae strains; a globally ubiquitous and highly sequence-diverse virus family, were identified in, and isolated from the BSL metagenomic DNA sample. These BSL capsid protein sequences, along with several other homologous sequences derived from metagenomic surveys and laboratory isolates, were mapped to the solved structure of a closely related capsid protein from the Spiroplasma phage-4 microvirus. Patterns of amino acid sequence conservation, unveiled by structure-based homology modeling analysis, revealed that the protein sequences within this family exhibit a remarkable level of plasticity, while remaining structurally and functionally congruent.Lateral gene transfer is thought to have had a significant impact on the genomic evolution and adaptation of virus families. Genomic context analysis was also utilized to identify interviral gene transfer within the BSL virus assemblage. An ostensibly rare interviral gene transfer event, having transpired between single-stranded RNA and DNA virus types, was detected in the BSL metagenome. Similar genomes were subsequently detected in other ecosystems around the globe. The discovery of this new virus genome dramatically underscores the scope and importance of genetic mobility and genomic mosaicism as major forces driving the evolution of viruses.The analyses conducted herein demonstrate the many ways in which viral metagenomic sequence data may be utilized to not only evaluate the composition of a natural virus assemblage, but to discover new viral genes, and to better understand the dynamics of both genomic and structural evolution within the virosphere. Title: The Boiling Springs Lake Metavirome: Charting the Viral Sequence-Space of an Extreme Environment Microbial Ecosystem Author: Diemer, Geoffrey Scott Year: 2014 Viruses are the most abundant organisms on Earth, yet their collective evolutionary history, biodiversity and functional capacity is not well understood. Viral metagenomics offers a potential means of establishing a more comprehensive view of virus diversity and evolution, as vast amounts of new sequence data becomes available for comparative analysis.Metagenomic DNA from virus-sized particles (smaller than 0.2 microns in diameter) was isolated from approximately 20 liters of sediment obtained from Boiling Springs Lake (BSL) and sequenced. BSL is a large, acidic hot-spring (with a pH of 2.2, and temperatures ranging from 50°C to 96°C) located in Lassen Volcanic National Park, USA. BSL supports a purely microbial ecosystem comprised largely of Archaea and Bacteria, however, the lower temperature regions permit the growth of acid- and thermo-tolerant Eukarya. This distinctive feature of the BSL microbial ecosystem ensures that virus types infecting all domains of life will be present. The metagenomic sequence data was used to characterize the types of viruses present within the microbial ecosystem, to ascertain the extent of genetic diversity and novelty comprising the BSL virus assemblage, and to explore the genomic and structural modalities of virus evolution.Metagenomic surveys of natural virus assemblages, including the survey of BSL, have revealed that the diversity within the virosphere far exceeds what has currently been determined through the detailed study of viruses that are relevant to human health and agriculture. The number of as-yet-uncharacterized virus protein families present in the BSL assemblage was estimated by clustering analysis. Genomic context analysis of the predicted viral protein sequences in the BSL dataset indicates that most of the putative uncharacterized proteins are endemic or unique to BSL, and are largely harbored by known virus types. A comparative metagenomic analysis approach identified a set of conserved, yet uncharacterized BSL protein sequences that are commonly found in other similar and dissimilar environments.New sequence data from metagenomic surveys of natural virus assemblages was also used to better characterize and define known virus protein families, as some of the viruses found in the BSL environment represent distant relatives of well-characterized isolates. By comparing viral genes and protein sequences from these highly divergent species, it is possible to better understand the dynamics of adaptation and evolution in the virosphere. Additionally, as structures of virus proteins continue to be experimentally determined by X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy, a merger of structural and metagenomic sequence data allows the opportunity to observe the structural dynamics underlying virus protein evolution.Capsid (structural) proteins from two distinct Microviridae strains; a globally ubiquitous and highly sequence-diverse virus family, were identified in, and isolated from the BSL metagenomic DNA sample. These BSL capsid protein sequences, along with several other homologous sequences derived from metagenomic surveys and laboratory isolates, were mapped to the solved structure of a closely related capsid protein from the Spiroplasma phage-4 microvirus. Patterns of amino acid sequence conservation, unveiled by structure-based homology modeling analysis, revealed that the protein sequences within this family exhibit a remarkable level of plasticity, while remaining structurally and functionally congruent.Lateral gene transfer is thought to have had a significant impact on the genomic evolution and adaptation of virus families. Genomic context analysis was also utilized to identify interviral gene transfer within the BSL virus assemblage. An ostensibly rare interviral gene transfer event, having transpired between single-stranded RNA and DNA virus types, was detected in the BSL metagenome. Similar genomes were subsequently detected in other ecosystems around the globe. The discovery of this new virus genome dramatically underscores the scope and importance of genetic mobility and genomic mosaicism as major forces driving the evolution of viruses.The analyses conducted herein demonstrate the many ways in which viral metagenomic sequence data may be utilized to not only evaluate the composition of a natural virus assemblage, but to discover new viral genes, and to better understand the dynamics of both genomic and structural evolution within the virosphere. Close

• 92. [Article] Linking multidimensional functional diversity to quantitative methods: a graphical hypothesis-evaluation framework

  This is the publisher’s final pdf. The article is copyrighted by Ecological Society of America and published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. It can be found at: http://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/hu...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Linking multidimensional functional diversity to quantitative methods: a graphical hypothesis-evaluation framework Author: Lytle, David A., Gitelman, Alix I., Miller, Steve J., Bogan, Michael T., Boersma, Kate S., Dee, Laura E. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The article is copyrighted by Ecological Society of America and published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. It can be found at: http://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/hub/journal/10.1002/%28ISSN%291939-9170/ Title: Linking multidimensional functional diversity to quantitative methods: a graphical hypothesis-evaluation framework Author: Lytle, David A., Gitelman, Alix I., Miller, Steve J., Bogan, Michael T., Boersma, Kate S., Dee, Laura E. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The article is copyrighted by Ecological Society of America and published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. It can be found at: http://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/hub/journal/10.1002/%28ISSN%291939-9170/ Close

• 93. [Article] Exploring the fossil history of pleurocarpous mosses: Tricostaceae fam. nov. from the Cretaceous of Vancouver Island, Canada

  This is an author's peer-reviewed final manuscript, as accepted by the publisher. The published article is copyrighted by the Botanical Society of America and can be found at: http://www.amjbot.org/con...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Exploring the fossil history of pleurocarpous mosses: Tricostaceae fam. nov. from the Cretaceous of Vancouver Island, Canada Author: Shelton, Glenn W. K., Tomescu, Alexandru M. F., Rothwell, Gar W., Stockey, Ruth A. This is an author's peer-reviewed final manuscript, as accepted by the publisher. The published article is copyrighted by the Botanical Society of America and can be found at: http://www.amjbot.org/content/102/11/1883 Title: Exploring the fossil history of pleurocarpous mosses: Tricostaceae fam. nov. from the Cretaceous of Vancouver Island, Canada Author: Shelton, Glenn W. K., Tomescu, Alexandru M. F., Rothwell, Gar W., Stockey, Ruth A. This is an author's peer-reviewed final manuscript, as accepted by the publisher. The published article is copyrighted by the Botanical Society of America and can be found at: http://www.amjbot.org/content/102/11/1883 Close

• 94. [Article] Response of reef fish assemblages to overgrowth of the hydrocoral Millepora complanata by the crustose alga Ramicrusta sp.

  June 2011

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Response of reef fish assemblages to overgrowth of the hydrocoral Millepora complanata by the crustose alga Ramicrusta sp. Author: Adams, AnnaRose June 2011 Title: Response of reef fish assemblages to overgrowth of the hydrocoral Millepora complanata by the crustose alga Ramicrusta sp. Author: Adams, AnnaRose June 2011 Close

• 95. [Article] Two distinct microbial communities revealed in the sponge Cinachyrella

  This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by the Frontiers Research Foundation. The published article can be found at: http://www.frontiersi...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Two distinct microbial communities revealed in the sponge Cinachyrella Author: Cuvelier, Marie L., Mulheron, Rebecca, Blake, Emily, McCarthy, Peter J., Blackwelder, Patricia, Thurber, Rebecca L. Vega, Lopez, Jose V. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by the Frontiers Research Foundation. The published article can be found at: http://www.frontiersin.org/Microbiology. Title: Two distinct microbial communities revealed in the sponge Cinachyrella Author: Cuvelier, Marie L., Mulheron, Rebecca, Blake, Emily, McCarthy, Peter J., Blackwelder, Patricia, Thurber, Rebecca L. Vega, Lopez, Jose V. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by the Frontiers Research Foundation. The published article can be found at: http://www.frontiersin.org/Microbiology. Close

• 96. [Article] The Roles of Large Top Predators in Coastal Ecosystems: New Insights from long Term Ecological Research

  To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by The Oceanography ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Roles of Large Top Predators in Coastal Ecosystems: New Insights from long Term Ecological Research Author: Matich, Philip, Silliman, Brian R., Heithaus, Michael R., Mather, Martha E., Ripple, William J., Nifong, James C., Rosenblatt, Adam E. To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by The Oceanography Society, and can be found at: http://www.tos.org/oceanography/. Title: The Roles of Large Top Predators in Coastal Ecosystems: New Insights from long Term Ecological Research Author: Matich, Philip, Silliman, Brian R., Heithaus, Michael R., Mather, Martha E., Ripple, William J., Nifong, James C., Rosenblatt, Adam E. To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by The Oceanography Society, and can be found at: http://www.tos.org/oceanography/. Close

• 97. [Article] Litter controls of microbial community composition and function in forest soils

  Most carbon (C) transformations in soil are carried out by a diverse and complex soil microbial community. The size and composition of the soil microbial community is determined by poorly understood interactions ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Litter controls of microbial community composition and function in forest soils Author: Brant, Justin B. Most carbon (C) transformations in soil are carried out by a diverse and complex soil microbial community. The size and composition of the soil microbial community is determined by poorly understood interactions between the quantity and chemical composition of plant inputs, as well as climate. Given the metabolic diversity of soil microorganisms and functional overlap among distinct taxonomic groups, changes in microbial community composition do not necessarily lead to changes in microbial community function at the ecosystem scale. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of long-term manipulations of above- and belowground plant litter inputs to soil on the composition and function of the soil microbial community in forest ecosystems, as part of a larger detritus input and removal treatment experiment. In the first part of my study, soils from three very different forest ecosystems subjected to the same long-term C input manipulations were analyzed using phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis to determine if there were changes in microbial community composition in response to litter input manipulations. This experiment also allowed me to examine if the observed changes were consistant across the three ecosystems sampled. In all three forest ecosystems, root exclusion led to changes in microbial community structure, whereas wood and litter input additions and exclusion did not change the microbial community composition. The soil without roots had a lower fungal:bacterial ratio; in addition, changes were found in the bacterial community, especially actinomycetes, even after accounting for the potential loss of mycorrhizal fungi due to root exclusion. Seasonal differences in the PLFA profile at one site were greater than any of the treatment differences, with the taxonomic biomarkers responsible for treatment differences varying by sampling date, underlining the importance of seasonal sampling. In the second part of my study soils from an old-growth Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) - western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) forest in the Oregon Cascades that has received seven years of either wood addition or root and litter input exclusion were incubated with 50 μg C g^(-1) soil universally 13C-labeled glucose, glutamate, oxalate, and phenol in a 14-day lab incubation. Changes in the rate and mechanism of substrate degradation were examined by following the 13C tracer into microbial respiration, as well as looking at incorporation of 13C into microbial biomass and PLFAs. Utilization of the four added substrates varied in soil of each litter manipulation treatment. Glucose and glutamate respiration rates were similar in soils from all three litter treatments, and were readily incorporated into all PLFA biomarkers. Higher rates of oxalate and phenol respiration were found in the soils with added wood and lower rates in the soils with litter and root exclusion, compared with the control soil. Phenol was utilized primarily by fungi, with little incorporation into any other PLFA biomarkers. The addition of each of the four substrates led to the enhanced degradation of soil organic matter (priming) in soils of all three litter treatments, and was greater following the addition of phenol and oxalate. Of the three litter teatments, priming was greatest in the soils with litter excluded. These results demonstrate that altering plant inputs to soil can lead to changes in microbial utilization of C compounds. In appears that many of the obseved C utilization differences are a result of changes in the size and composition of the fungal community. Title: Litter controls of microbial community composition and function in forest soils Author: Brant, Justin B. Most carbon (C) transformations in soil are carried out by a diverse and complex soil microbial community. The size and composition of the soil microbial community is determined by poorly understood interactions between the quantity and chemical composition of plant inputs, as well as climate. Given the metabolic diversity of soil microorganisms and functional overlap among distinct taxonomic groups, changes in microbial community composition do not necessarily lead to changes in microbial community function at the ecosystem scale. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of long-term manipulations of above- and belowground plant litter inputs to soil on the composition and function of the soil microbial community in forest ecosystems, as part of a larger detritus input and removal treatment experiment. In the first part of my study, soils from three very different forest ecosystems subjected to the same long-term C input manipulations were analyzed using phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis to determine if there were changes in microbial community composition in response to litter input manipulations. This experiment also allowed me to examine if the observed changes were consistant across the three ecosystems sampled. In all three forest ecosystems, root exclusion led to changes in microbial community structure, whereas wood and litter input additions and exclusion did not change the microbial community composition. The soil without roots had a lower fungal:bacterial ratio; in addition, changes were found in the bacterial community, especially actinomycetes, even after accounting for the potential loss of mycorrhizal fungi due to root exclusion. Seasonal differences in the PLFA profile at one site were greater than any of the treatment differences, with the taxonomic biomarkers responsible for treatment differences varying by sampling date, underlining the importance of seasonal sampling. In the second part of my study soils from an old-growth Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) - western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) forest in the Oregon Cascades that has received seven years of either wood addition or root and litter input exclusion were incubated with 50 μg C g^(-1) soil universally 13C-labeled glucose, glutamate, oxalate, and phenol in a 14-day lab incubation. Changes in the rate and mechanism of substrate degradation were examined by following the 13C tracer into microbial respiration, as well as looking at incorporation of 13C into microbial biomass and PLFAs. Utilization of the four added substrates varied in soil of each litter manipulation treatment. Glucose and glutamate respiration rates were similar in soils from all three litter treatments, and were readily incorporated into all PLFA biomarkers. Higher rates of oxalate and phenol respiration were found in the soils with added wood and lower rates in the soils with litter and root exclusion, compared with the control soil. Phenol was utilized primarily by fungi, with little incorporation into any other PLFA biomarkers. The addition of each of the four substrates led to the enhanced degradation of soil organic matter (priming) in soils of all three litter treatments, and was greater following the addition of phenol and oxalate. Of the three litter teatments, priming was greatest in the soils with litter excluded. These results demonstrate that altering plant inputs to soil can lead to changes in microbial utilization of C compounds. In appears that many of the obseved C utilization differences are a result of changes in the size and composition of the fungal community. Close

• 98. [Article] Post-fire tree establishment and early cohort development in conifer forests of the western Cascades of Oregon, USA

  To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the author(s) ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Post-fire tree establishment and early cohort development in conifer forests of the western Cascades of Oregon, USA Author: Tepley, Alan J., Swanson, Frederick J., Spies, Thomas A. To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by the Ecological Society of America. The published article can be found at: http://www.esajournals.org/loi/ecsp. Title: Post-fire tree establishment and early cohort development in conifer forests of the western Cascades of Oregon, USA Author: Tepley, Alan J., Swanson, Frederick J., Spies, Thomas A. To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by the Ecological Society of America. The published article can be found at: http://www.esajournals.org/loi/ecsp. Close

• 99. [Article] Scientific review by the marine science advisory panel of Oregon University System scientists of the US Commission on ocean policy preliminary report for Governor Kulongoski's Oregon response

  The U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy (USCOP) has articulated a set of overarching Guiding Principles to frame the creation of a new national ocean policy. When taken collectively, these principles provide ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Scientific review by the marine science advisory panel of Oregon University System scientists of the US Commission on ocean policy preliminary report for Governor Kulongoski's Oregon response Author: Bloomer, Sherman, Rasmussen, Jay, Lubchenco, Jane, Abbott, Mark R., Malouf, Robert E., Rumrill, Steven, Hanna, Susan The U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy (USCOP) has articulated a set of overarching Guiding Principles to frame the creation of a new national ocean policy. When taken collectively, these principles provide a careful, circumspect, and ambitious context from which to develop policies that will promote vibrant coastal communities, healthy and resilient ecosystems, abundant wildlife, sustainable fisheries, clean and safe shorelines, and enjoyable and inspirational recreational opportunities—in short, the visions that Oregonians articulate for their coast and ocean. The Guiding Principles align closely with Oregon’s Statewide Planning Goals, policies, and values. In fact, they underscore the importance of weighing long-term interests more heavily than short-term ones in the balance of competing uses. They are holistic in geographic scope, rather than focused on a single component of a complex ecosystem. The USCOP Guiding Principles were conceived to foster an atmosphere of objective scientific inquiry to form the basis of policy and decision-making to reconcile the diverse needs of all Oregonians. Title: Scientific review by the marine science advisory panel of Oregon University System scientists of the US Commission on ocean policy preliminary report for Governor Kulongoski's Oregon response Author: Bloomer, Sherman, Rasmussen, Jay, Lubchenco, Jane, Abbott, Mark R., Malouf, Robert E., Rumrill, Steven, Hanna, Susan The U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy (USCOP) has articulated a set of overarching Guiding Principles to frame the creation of a new national ocean policy. When taken collectively, these principles provide a careful, circumspect, and ambitious context from which to develop policies that will promote vibrant coastal communities, healthy and resilient ecosystems, abundant wildlife, sustainable fisheries, clean and safe shorelines, and enjoyable and inspirational recreational opportunities—in short, the visions that Oregonians articulate for their coast and ocean. The Guiding Principles align closely with Oregon’s Statewide Planning Goals, policies, and values. In fact, they underscore the importance of weighing long-term interests more heavily than short-term ones in the balance of competing uses. They are holistic in geographic scope, rather than focused on a single component of a complex ecosystem. The USCOP Guiding Principles were conceived to foster an atmosphere of objective scientific inquiry to form the basis of policy and decision-making to reconcile the diverse needs of all Oregonians. Close

• 100. [Article] Quantifying the Potential of Native Plants for Improving Pollination and Biological Control in Agroecosystems

  Agricultural areas can be inhospitable to the attraction and maintenance of beneficial insects like natural enemies and pollinators and this can result in a decrease in the ecosystem services of pollination ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Quantifying the Potential of Native Plants for Improving Pollination and Biological Control in Agroecosystems Author: Winfield, Tammy L. Agricultural areas can be inhospitable to the attraction and maintenance of beneficial insects like natural enemies and pollinators and this can result in a decrease in the ecosystem services of pollination and pest control that these insects supply. If habitat can be created and maintained on-farm, an increase in the numbers and diversity of beneficial insects could be seen which could correspond to an increase in ecosystem services. This study was undertaken to quantify what insect communities are supported by a set of native Oregon plants and to test for differences in the relative attractiveness of plant species to three broad categories of insects: herbivores, natural enemies, and pollinators. This first season of research shows that plant species vary in their relative attractiveness to the three functional groups of insects. Some of this variation is likely related to differences in flowering phenology. There was a significant positive association between percent peak bloom and the number of natural enemies collected on a particular plant species. The numbers of natural enemies, herbivores, and pollinators collected on plant species also varied across sites, suggesting that landscape characteristics also influence the insect communities associated with particular plant species. Title: Quantifying the Potential of Native Plants for Improving Pollination and Biological Control in Agroecosystems Author: Winfield, Tammy L. Agricultural areas can be inhospitable to the attraction and maintenance of beneficial insects like natural enemies and pollinators and this can result in a decrease in the ecosystem services of pollination and pest control that these insects supply. If habitat can be created and maintained on-farm, an increase in the numbers and diversity of beneficial insects could be seen which could correspond to an increase in ecosystem services. This study was undertaken to quantify what insect communities are supported by a set of native Oregon plants and to test for differences in the relative attractiveness of plant species to three broad categories of insects: herbivores, natural enemies, and pollinators. This first season of research shows that plant species vary in their relative attractiveness to the three functional groups of insects. Some of this variation is likely related to differences in flowering phenology. There was a significant positive association between percent peak bloom and the number of natural enemies collected on a particular plant species. The numbers of natural enemies, herbivores, and pollinators collected on plant species also varied across sites, suggesting that landscape characteristics also influence the insect communities associated with particular plant species. Close