Functional leaf and plant use by leafcutter bees: Implications for management and conservation

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 35(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Abstract Wild solitary bees face a host of challenges from the simplification landscapes and biodiversity loss to invasive species urbanization. Pollinator researchers restoration workers thus far gave much attention increase flower cover reduce impact these anthropogenic pressures. Over 30% bee need nonfloral resources such as leaves resin for their survival reproduction. However, importance in ecology, particularly leafcutter bees, has received very little attention. Leafcutter have global distribution cut constructing brood chambers. We information (a) what use do not foraging (b) leaf plant traits community drive preference usage. To fill this gap recommend plants conservation, we examined 13,062 612 107 families distributed 165 communities nine towns/cities four south Indian states. The locations states was quite dissimilar, but had similar proportion native exotic plants. probability foraged is governed by its clade, family, nativity, dimension, width. Bees clear common families, Fabaceae, Phyllanthaceae, Meliaceae leaves, going distant lineages, including rare rare. At same time, also avoided several cosmopolitan Apocynaceae, Moraceae, Sapotaceae, Asteraceae, among others. preferred more usage predicted richness, Fabaceae communities, herbs; diversity abundance are crucial drivers. Our study suggests that bees' leaf‐foraging random, leaf, plant, traits. helpful planning urban homestead greening projects they dominated exotics.

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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Native bee habitat restoration: key ecological considerations from recent North American literature

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12

Published: Aug. 5, 2024

Habitat loss is a primary driver of global biodiversity decline, negatively impacting many species, including native bees. One approach to counteract the consequences habitat through restoration, which includes transformation degraded or damaged habitats increase biodiversity. In this review, we survey bee restoration literature over last 14 years provide insights into how best promote diversity and abundance natural landscapes in North America. We highlight relevant questions concepts consider throughout various stages projects, categorizing them pre-, during-, post-restoration stages. emphasize importance planning species- site-specific strategies support bees, providing floral non-floral resources increasing nest site availability. Lastly, underscore significance conducting evaluations long-term monitoring following efforts. By identifying effective methods, success indicators, areas for future research, our review presents comprehensive framework that can guide land managers during urgent time restoration.

Language: Английский

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Pollination crisis Down‐Under: Has Australasia dodged the bullet?

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(11)

Published: Oct. 30, 2023

Abstract Since mid‐1990s, concerns have increased about a human‐induced “pollination crisis.” Threats been identified to animals that act as plant pollinators, plants pollinated by these animals, and consequently human well‐being. Threatening processes include loss of natural habitat, climate change, pesticide use, pathogen spread, introduced species. However, concern has mostly during last 10–15 years from Europe North America, with Australasia, known Down‐Under, receiving little attention. So perhaps Australasia “dodged the bullet”? We systematically reviewed published literature relating crisis” via Web Science, focusing on issues amenable this approach. Across issues, we found steep increase in publications over few decades major geographic bias towards relatively attention Australasia. While are underrepresented, factors responsible elsewhere for causing commonly occur so lack coverage probably reflects awareness rather than absence problem. In other words, not bullet” should take immediate action address mitigate its own Sensible steps would taxonomic work suspected protection pollinator populations threatened extinction, establishing long‐term monitoring plant–pollinator relationships, incorporating pollination into sustainable agriculture, restricting use various pesticides, adopting an Integrated Pest Pollinator Management approach, developing partnerships First Nations peoples research, conservation management their pollinators. Appropriate Government policy, funding regulation could help.

Language: Английский

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Models of bee responses to land use and land cover changes in agricultural landscapes – a review and research agenda

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 99(6), P. 2003 - 2021

Published: June 28, 2024

Predictive modelling tools can be used to support the design of agricultural landscapes promote pollinator biodiversity and pollination services. Despite proliferation such in recent decades, there remains a gap synthesising their main characteristics representation capacities. Here, we reviewed 42 studies that developed non-correlative models explore impact land use cover changes on bee populations, synthesised information about modelled systems, approaches, key model like spatiotemporal extent resolution. Various approaches are employed predict bees services they provide, with prevalence focusing wild populations compared managed ones. Of these models, landscape indicators distance decay relatively simple, few parameters. They allow mapping visitation probabilities using basic data considering foraging ranges. Conversely, mechanistic or agent-based delineate, varying degrees complexity, multitude processes characterise, among others, behaviour population dynamics bees. The collectively encompass 38 ecological, agronomic, economic processes, producing various outputs including abundance, habitat rate, crop yield. To advance development predictive aimed at fostering landscapes, highlight future avenues for increasing biophysical realism predicting Additionally, address challenges associated balancing complexity practical usability.

Language: Английский

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The contrasting response of cavity‐nesting bees, wasps and their natural enemies to biodiversity conservation measures

Insect Conservation and Diversity, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 16(4), P. 468 - 482

Published: March 25, 2023

Abstract The implementation of agri‐environmental schemes (AES) is a major tool to sustain biodiversity and ecosystem services in European agricultural landscapes. benefit different types features novel measures needs be assessed order successfully conserve insect communities agroecosystems. We set up trap nests 3 × km landscapes Germany, which farmers implemented measures. tested the effect closest three (i.e. distance measures, measures' area, quality) proximity forest oilseed rape landscape connectivity on abundance species richness cavity‐nesting bees, wasps their natural enemies. found total abundances increase with quality decline increasing forest. Parasitism mortality rates declined edge density. Cavity‐nesting bees were not affected by Total wasp herbivore‐predating increased all wasps, enemies spider‐predating from while effects solitary might only detectable after several years measure establishment. factor promoting insects as edges provide food, nesting sites shelter. emphasise need for long‐term monitoring an focus future AES creation habitats effective conservation.

Language: Английский

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Fruit set is moderately dependent on insect pollinators in strawberry and is limited by the availability of pollen under natural open conditions

The Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 98(6), P. 685 - 714

Published: June 14, 2023

ABSTRACTABSTRACTModern strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa Duch.) cultivars are hermaphrodite and have fertile flowers, with the anthers releasing viable pollen. Cultivars self-compatible do not require cross-pollination. Studies supporting managed or wild insects based on a few reports there problems methods used to assess pollination. This review examined role of pollination in strawberry. The mean (± s.d. standard deviation) pollinator dependence (PD) for yield (self-pollination versus open- insect-assisted pollination) was 0.36 ± 0.26 (P < 0.001, N = 52 studies). yields plants exposed supplementary were higher than those pollinators under natural open conditions, calculated pollen limitation (PL) 0.20 0.17 20 Fields close semi-natural habitats, wildflowers, grass hedges can more greater diversity fields further away. However, abundance does always lead fruit set. Yield is dependent insect (moderate dependence) limited by availability conditions limitation).KEYWORDS: Bumblebeesfliesflowersfruithoneybeeswild bees AcknowledgementsThe Queensland Government funded research through Department Agriculture Fisheries. Financial support from Florida Strawberry Growers' Association (FSGA) appreciated. Special thanks Pat Abbott, Zalee Bates, Helen Macpherson, Danielle Hoffmann Cheryl Petroeschevsky DAF supplying much literature, Gary Hopewell support.Disclosure statementNo potential conflict interest reported author.Data statementThe author confirms that data findings this study available within materials published online paper reasonable request.Supplemental dataSupplemental article be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1080/14620316.2023.2212670.Additional informationFundingThe work supported Research Education Foundation.

Language: Английский

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Pollination supply models from a local to global scale

Web Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 23(2), P. 99 - 129

Published: Oct. 4, 2023

Abstract. Ecological intensification has been embraced with great interest by the academic sector but is still rarely taken up farmers because monitoring state of different ecological functions not straightforward. Modelling tools can represent a more accessible alternative measuring functions, which could help promote their use amongst and other decision-makers. In case crop pollination, modelling traditionally followed either mechanistic or data-driven approach. Mechanistic models simulate habitat preferences foraging behaviour pollinators, while associate georeferenced variables real observations. Here, we test these two approaches to predict pollination supply validate predictions using data from newly released global dataset on pollinator visitation rates crops. We one most extensively used for approach, select among comprehensive set state-of-the-art machine-learning models. Moreover, explore mixed where data-derived inputs, rather than expert assessment, inform model. find that, at scale, work best, offering rank correlation coefficient between observations 0.56. turn, model works moderately well scale wild bees bumblebees. Biomes characterized temperate Mediterranean forests show better agreement observations, probably due knowledge therefore parameterization input biomes. This study highlights challenges transferring across multiple biomes, as expected given composition species in Our results provide clear guidance perform best spatial scales – first step towards bridging stakeholder–academia gap ecosystem service delivery under intensification.

Language: Английский

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Co-benefits from tree planting in a typical English agricultural landscape: Comparing the relative effectiveness of hedgerows, agroforestry and woodland creation for improving crop pollination services

Land Use Policy, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 125, P. 106497 - 106497

Published: Dec. 6, 2022

Land use policy in England is encouraging tree planting on farms to meet decarbonisation targets. This could be delivered through woodland creation, hedgerow or agroforestry. All three approaches provide co-benefits for wild bee populations and crop pollination services, by increasing nesting floral resources, but their relative effectiveness has not been studied at a landscape scale. We simulated six scenarios used validated process-based model predict effect bumblebee abundance service two common mass-flowering crops (oilseed rape field beans) representative 10x10km agricultural England, UK. Two levels of intensity were studied: one representing the cover that would achieved 2035 if 2020 creation rate continues another reflecting UK Government ambitions (threefold increase rate). Hedgerow predicted give biggest abundance. Silvoarable agroforestry using fruit trees willow was predicted, average, service. However, magnitude highly variable (which more dispersed across landscape) provided consistent services. Agroforestry with poplar offers less resource) concentrates fewer locations) only effective enhancing landscape-level high intensity. Future land management should promote willow-based as multifunctional measures arable contexts, whilst continuing encourage role promoting diversity pollinators. may needed alongside help stabilise rotation cycle.

Language: Английский

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Effects of Dutch agri-environmental field margins and bird plots on cropland birds

Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 349, P. 108430 - 108430

Published: March 1, 2023

Agri-environmental measures (AEMs) are the main instrument of Common Agricultural Policy to protect farmland biodiversity, but their effectiveness is questioned. In Netherlands, AEMs have been implemented by farmers' collectives since 2016, with goal improve spatial targeting and coordination measures, thereby increase effectiveness. The objective this paper assess effects two AEMs, bird plots field margins, on abundance seven cropland species targeted Dutch agri-environmental policy, total richness. study was carried out in four provinces Groningen, Drenthe Flevoland Netherlands. We assessed how richness measured AEM control were related management landscape factors. Furthermore, we whether concentration other landscapes surrounding plots. With regard plot management, found a significant positive effect margins skylarks, yellowhammers, common linnets, kestrels, Bird had skylarks abundance. However, western yellow wagtails, northern lapwings Eurasian oystercatchers did not benefit from studied likely because vegetation too high dense for these species. Landscape factors, such as openness, contrasting analysed species, due different habitat requirements. Hence, there no optimal all target which underlines need fine scale based only (yellowhammer wagtail), negative. Thus, our results suggest that - type they taken more important than concentration.

Language: Английский

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