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Abstract
Global insect pollinator declines have motivated the planting of pollinator-friendly gardens that can provide nectar and other resources to support the conservation of declining insects. Although gardens can attract a diversity of pollinators, the ways gardens are planted and managed varies considerably, with garden traits and maintenance practices potentially affecting their benefit to pollinators. My doctoral research examined how gardens characteristics influence the abundance, diversity, survival, and reproduction of insect pollinators, including their interactions with natural enemies. I integrated a systematic review and meta-analysis with field work, experiments, and mathematical modeling to better understand the mechanisms underlying these effects. Collectively, the findings of my dissertation research indicate that gardening decisions, particularly plant selection, can significantly impact pollinator fitness, movement ecology, and parasite interactions, and therefore require careful consideration for gardens to promote pollinator conservation.