Summer Environmental StudyJane Giza
2026 The Clara Carter Higgins Summer Environmental Studies Scholarship
The Adaptation of Bumblebee Foraging Paths to Natural Variation in Flower Density in a Subalpine Meadow of the Rocky Mountains
The goal of this project is to examine how bumblebees adapt their foraging paths to variation in Delphinium barbeyi flower density at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Gothic, Colorado. Specifically, we will track the foraging paths of bumblebee individuals over time to record which flower patches are visited and for how long. I will additionally analyze the geometry of these foraging paths to learn about bumblebee foraging strategy. Understanding how bumblebees shift their foraging behavior in changing landscapes will help us to understand how their populations might respond to the increasing range and phenological shifts of species on our warming globe.
The Clara Carter Higgins Summer Environmental Studies Scholarship
To encourage studies and careers in the environmental field, providing the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience beyond the regular course of study.
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