Floral resources shape parasite and pathogen dynamics in bees facing urbanization

Molecular Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 31(7), P. 2157 - 2171

Published: Feb. 3, 2022

Urbanization is associated with increases in impervious land cover, which alters the distribution of resources available to wildlife and concentrates activity unbuilt spaces such as parks gardens. How resource shifts alter dynamics parasite pathogen transmission has not been addressed for many important species urban systems. We focus on gardens, resource-rich "islands" within matrix, examine how availability floral at local landscape scales influences prevalence six RNA viruses three parasites honey bees bumble bees. Because pathogens are transmitted flowers between visitors, we expected that abundance would concentrate amplifying infection rates pollinators, unless enhance bee diversity enough dilute transmission. found garden size flowering perennial plant had a positive, direct effect richness bees, suggesting provisioning amplifies also parasitism were positively spillover species. Encouragingly, evidence management may mitigate through indirect effects: positive impact diversity, turn was negatively Unexpectedly, observed no significant predictors, highlighting complexity comparing Although provide food, suggest more research tradeoffs disease implement conservation plantings changing landscapes.

Language: Английский

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From science to society: implementing effective strategies to improve wild pollinator health

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 377(1853)

Published: May 2, 2022

Despite a substantial increase in scientific, public and political interest pollinator health many practical conservation efforts, incorporating initiatives across range of scales sectors, continues to decline. We review existing define their common structural elements. argue that implementing effective action for pollinators requires further scientific understanding six key areas: (i) status trends populations; (ii) direct indirect drivers decline, including interactions; (iii) risks co-benefits actions ecosystems; (iv) benefits society; (v) the effectiveness context-specific, tailored, actionable solutions; (vi) integrated frameworks explicitly link values with reverse declines. propose use Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity Ecosystem Services (IPBES) conceptual framework issues identify critical gaps both pollinators. This approach reveals centrality addressing recognized such as patterns global trade demography, which are frequently overlooked current efforts. Finally, we discuss how new approaches research can support efforts move beyond these shortcomings initiatives. article is part theme issue 'Natural processes influencing health: from chemistry landscapes'.

Language: Английский

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Conservation in post‐industrial cities: How does vacant land management and landscape configuration influence urban bees?

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 58(1), P. 58 - 69

Published: Sept. 26, 2020

Abstract Rich pollinator assemblages are documented in some cities despite habitat fragmentation and degradation, suggesting that urban areas have potential as refuges. To inform bee conservation, we assessed local‐ landscape‐scale drivers of community composition foraging within vacant lots Cleveland, Ohio, USA. Cleveland is a shrinking city, type area has an over‐abundance vacated greenspaces result population loss subsequent demolition abandoned infrastructure. As such, represents over 350 post‐industrial worldwide all promising locations for conservation. Across network 56 residential (each ~30 m × 12 m), established seven unique habitats, including seeded native prairies, to investigate how vegetation management landscape context at 1,500 radius influenced communities. We the distribution several functional traits, diversity abundance with pan malaise traps. Foraging frequency was determined plant–pollinator interaction networks derived from vacuum collections bees flowers. observed higher richness increased smaller sized size surrounding greenspace patches buffer. Within treatments had no effect on but greater plant biomass shorter were correlated abundance. Plant–pollinator dominated by spontaneous non‐native vegetation, illustrating this forage supports bees. Synthesis applications . Our study indicates proximity larger promotes overall occurrence species lots. While did not observe our plants enhancing community, wildflowers still establishing during may influence when blooming densities. Importantly, provided majority bee's forage. Thus, land minimally managed vegetated what many consider undesirable ‘weeds’ provides valuable conservation cities.

Language: Английский

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Urban heavy metal contamination limits bumblebee colony growth

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 57(8), P. 1561 - 1569

Published: April 30, 2020

Abstract Post‐industrial shrinking cities contain abundant vacant land and are increasingly recognized for their pollinator conservation potential. At the same time, industrial legacies of these urban ecosystems have resulted in elevated levels heavy metals surface soils, which could negatively affect bee populations. We investigated whether foraging within metal contaminated landscapes represents a fitness cost common Eastern bumblebee Bombus impatiens , by placing colonies residential backyards along an to rural gradient extending south east from city Cleveland, Ohio, USA. Bees foraged landscape 3 weeks, after time we counted total number workers larvae present colony analysed castes presence metals. then assessed relationship between composition, loads caste abundance. Colonies located were more likely be exposed lead (Pb). Elevated concentrations Pb correlated with both present. Synthesis applications . Our findings raise concern that (Pb) contamination represent significant challenge cities. To elucidate risks posed this pollutant, highlight need quantify lethal sub‐lethal effects exposure using laboratory field‐based studies. Further, identifying routes factors influence risk is necessary implement mitigation strategies as part initiatives.

Language: Английский

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Plants, pollinators and their interactions under global ecological change: The role of pollen DNA metabarcoding

Molecular Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 32(23), P. 6345 - 6362

Published: Sept. 10, 2022

Abstract Anthropogenic activities are triggering global changes in the environment, causing entire communities of plants, pollinators and their interactions to restructure, ultimately leading species declines. To understand mechanisms behind community shifts declines, as well monitoring managing impacts, a effort must be made characterize plant–pollinator detail, across different habitat types, latitudes, elevations, levels types disturbances. Generating data this scale will only feasible with rapid, high‐throughput methods. Pollen DNA metabarcoding provides advantages throughput, efficiency taxonomic resolution over traditional methods, such microscopic pollen identification visual observation interactions. This makes it ideal for understanding complex ecological networks responses change. is currently being applied assess interactions, survey ecosystem change model spatiotemporal distribution allergenic pollen. Where samples available from past collections, has been used compare contemporary ecosystems. New avenues research possible expansion intraspecific identification, analysis ancient samples, increased use museum herbarium specimens. Ongoing developments sequencing technologies can accelerate progress towards these goals. Global happening rapidly, we anticipate that methods critical evolutionary processes support biodiversity, predicting responding impacts

Language: Английский

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Finding justice in wild, novel ecosystems: A review through a multispecies lens

Urban forestry & urban greening, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 83, P. 127902 - 127902

Published: March 15, 2023

Though most cities, particularly in the Global North, have been intensely modified by human activities certain locations still exist varied forms of abandonment or disinvestment, often allowing for new species assemblages to flourish. These urban novel ecosystems informal wild spaces are perceived as in-between overlooked, calling into question their value and social-ecological role, while also creating tensions amongst different groups stakeholders who share visions use management. Within these tensions, issues justice equity can be more pronounced surface historic legacies environmental contamination, inequitable development, extraction. Despite this, very little is known about role play areas, how best interrogate understand dimensions they elicit. To fill this gap knowledge, paper critically examines literature on relation justice, with a particular interest multispecies justice. Through analysis, gaps exposed, arguing informality, neglect contestation provides opportunities explore access, benefits harms, light global climate ecological crises. A systematic approach utilized search literature, identifying 45 papers which thematically analyzed under lens. The study identifies three themes that thread throughout literature: distributional injustices relate perceptions attitudes, give rise arise from injustices; regeneration discourse focuses 'new nature', based displacement devaluation; potential generate sensibilities. concludes discussing trends, gaps, emerging discourses, proposing planning through learnings engagement wild, ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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Bees in the city: Findings from a scoping review and recommendations for urban planning

AMBIO, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 20, 2024

Over the last decades, bee biodiversity has dropped sharply due to land use change, including urbanization. To contrast this, recent research pointed cities as a hotspot for bees. Because of this ambiguity, scoping review been conducted examine urban characteristics that impact bees and how are impacted. A total 276 articles were analyzed against landscape local habitat characteristics. The key findings include first natural areas more valuable since levels higher. Second, generally score better than agricultural rural areas. Third, plant positively influences biodiversity. Fourth, environment strongly affects some traits proportion native For making friendly inclusive, we recommend maintain areas, connect ecosystems, encourage floral abundance diversity increasing size green overall.

Language: Английский

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Local and landscape‐scale environmental filters drive the functional diversity and taxonomic composition of spiders across urban greenspaces

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 57(8), P. 1570 - 1580

Published: April 13, 2020

Abstract Urban patch colonization and species establishment within cities are restricted by the behavioural, life history physiological attributes of colonizing species, in conjunction with environmental filtering processes at small large spatial scales. To enhance local biodiversity urban greenspaces, these need to be assessed so that greenspace design management can guide pools. We investigated relative importance landscape‐scale features on spider community assembly using a functional taxonomic approach. Within city Cleveland, Ohio, USA, we established field experiment wherein control vacant lots, meadows, low‐ high‐diversity pocket prairies were across eight neighbourhoods ( N = 32). Spiders sampled during June–August 2015 2016 pitfall traps vacuums. Spider diversity was null models, while landscape drivers analysed via canonical partial least squares clustered image maps. Increased mowing associated lower‐than‐expected alpha beta 2015. Patch isolation percentage impervious surface increased dissimilarity spiders 2016, resulting higher‐than‐expected overall diversity. also found increasing plant height biomass favoured body size decreased abundance web weavers. Synthesis applications . Our findings suggest amount will act as strong filter, producing more spatially distinct communities scale. Additionally, periodic lots benefits some taxa, it has negative impact several mainly larger those most sensitive disturbance. conserve biota depended upon them, investment managed greenspaces such require infrequent is warranted. In doing so, beautify neighbourhoods.

Language: Английский

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Exposure to urban heavy metal contamination diminishes bumble bee colony growth

Urban Ecosystems, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 25(3), P. 989 - 997

Published: Jan. 31, 2022

Language: Английский

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Importance of urban green areas’ connectivity for the conservation of pollinators

Urban Ecosystems, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 27(2), P. 417 - 426

Published: Nov. 6, 2023

Language: Английский

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