IMPACT OF SITE REHABILITATION ON LOCAL INSECT AND POLLINATOR POPULATIONS: A CASE STUDY OF NEWLY RESTORED MINING LANDS IN BUTTE, MONTANA

Pollinators play a critical role in ecosystem functionality, with 80% of the world's plant species depending on animal-mediated pollination. Given that habitat loss is a primary threat to pollinators and many species are becoming threatened in the US, restoration efforts must focus not only on plant communities but also on their pollinating animal counterparts. Including pollinator-focused strategies in rehabilitation plans is crucial, particularly in areas that have experienced significant environmental degradation, such as post-industrial and mining landscapes. This study assessed insect and plant diversity across eight sites within the Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund site, located in southwestern Montana. The sites were categorized based on their rehabilitation status into three groups: Control (Prairie Drive, Thompson Park), Rehabilitated (Travona Headframe, Lexington Headframe, Scrap H. Drive), and Non-Rehabilitated (Bell Headframe, Maud S. Canyon, Bluebird Trailhead). Data on insect diversity and flower-visitor abundance were collected using two trapping methods and a flower-visitor transect, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of pollinator activity across different site conditions. Our results indicated that insect diversity was notably influenced by site status and rehabilitation strategies, with control sites exhibiting the highest numbers, followed by non-rehabilitated and then rehabilitated sites. Specific rehabilitation strategies, such as the use of native seed mixes, attracted significantly higher numbers of insects. Additionally, insect diversity was found to be closely linked to plant diversity with control sites showing the highest plant species counts, which corresponded to greater insect diversity. Sites with a higher abundance of native plant species also tended to support a more diverse range of insect taxonomic groups compared to ones that had more non-native plants. Bee diversity, a key indicator of pollinator health, was similarly affected by site conditions and management strategies. While overall site status played a role, specific site strategies had a more significant impact on bee populations. Notably, sites with greater plant diversity, particularly those with more native species, were associated with higher bee diversity. By analyzing the effectiveness of pollinator-focused restoration efforts, this study provides valuable insights that can inform future ecological restoration projects. The findings underscore the importance of integrating pollinator conservation into broader habitat restoration strategies, especially in landscapes impacted by industrial activities. Enhancing the role of pollinators in these efforts is essential for maintaining ecosystem resilience.