Acacia senegal is a wind and insect pollinated tree that occurs naturally throughout the Sahel region of Africa. The species is monoecious but self incompatible. The flowers give off a small amount of nectar and are visited by a variety of insect species depending on the area in which it is located. The tree is the source of the true form of gum arabic, a stabilizer used by the food industry in most soft drinks and many candies.

In the West African country of Mauritania, Acacia senegal was, until recently, widespread and almost continuous throughout much of the country. Due to a prolonged drought beginning in the 60s continuing to the mid 80s, many populations have become fragmented into isolated remnant groups. Desertification has ravaged much of the country dwarfing once huge desert oasis zones that formerly spanned the entire country. Although the decline in the tree has had an effect on the economy, few real efforts have been made by the country to stabilize dune advancement in threatened areas. This may be due to the discovery of oil off the Mauritanian coast leading to an economic boom, allowing the government to ignore other failing markets. Nevertheless, the actual inhabitants of Mauritania are affected by the continuing desert advancement on a daily basis, and if a study were done on this economically important tree showing the effects desertification has had on its population and projecting what future negative effects could result, it is possible greater effort would be made to address these issues.

I am interested in finding out what effects this semi recent fragmentation has had on the pollen flow of this species of Acacia and at what distance we see pollen flowing between sites. What role do pollinators play in this flow? Do we see a drop off in pollinator abundance and diversity in fragmented zone? What implications does all of this have on the future of the tree and bee species in this zone?

2003: Phi Betta Kappa

2004   University of Iowa   B.S.    Biology and Environmental Science (Double)