Human Footprint: How Humans Have Changed Bees’ Natural Ecosystems

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Global relationships between crop yield and pollinator abundance

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 1, 2025

Abstract Pollinators are estimated to benefit the reproduction of three‐quarters global leading crop species and contribute 3%–8% total food production. Ongoing declines in pollinator populations have raised concerns about repercussions for security. Thus, there is a need better understand how agricultural yields depend on abundance. Here, we established yield–pollinator relationships 24 crops, capitalizing recently published database with paired records yield We used linear mixed‐effects modelling relate relative abundance, accounting differences climate farming practices. Overall, found positive relationship between which was modified by management practice zone. At given were significantly higher conventional than organic farms, while temperate regions those tropical regions. In addition, abundance 21 out species, indicating that variability numbers across fields has consequences pollination. Synthesis applications . Our context‐specific relationships, based best available data date, represent key step towards quantitative models assessing degree pollination sufficiency worldwide. believe this will increase robustness model outputs inform transition pollinator‐friendly

Language: Английский

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Agroforestry policy development in England: a question of knowledge transference

Land Use Policy, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 134, P. 106936 - 106936

Published: Oct. 15, 2023

Agroecology as a concept for reimagining food systems has grown in popularity and is now used several agriculture policy frameworks around the world. While there significant body of research agroecology, its origins, applications, much-needed transition pathway to sustainable systems, limited understanding on how agroecology may be situated within agroecological knowledge inform decision-making. In England, Government's post-Brexit subsidy scheme – Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMs) developed, various sectoral actors are employing different attempts deliver multiple objectives land use, food, biodiversity. This paper reviews 3 influential (Sustainable Development Goals, Ecosystem Services, FAO's 10 Principles Agroecology) assesses degree which they contribute development agroecologically-oriented England. With specific focus agroforestry an exemplar approach, this contributes literature agroecology. Using thematic content analysis, nine documents pertaining were reviewed, resulting 'degree embeddedness' being assigned each framework. Results showed that all three had low embeddedness policy; other words, none considered have been coherently integrated into current documents. such urgency halt environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, climate breakdown insecurity, apparent lack transfer critical noteworthy. concludes with set broad recommendations, applicable at both EU national level, alongside recommendations specifically

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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Adapting genetic algorithms for multifunctional landscape decisions: A theoretical case study on wild bees and farmers in the UK

Methods in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Sept. 19, 2024

Abstract Spatial modelling approaches to aid land‐use decisions which benefit both wildlife and humans are often limited the comparison of pre‐determined landscape scenarios, may not reflect true optimum for any end‐user. Furthermore, needs under‐represented when considered alongside human financial interests in these approaches. We develop a method addressing gaps using case‐study wild bees UK, an important group whose declines adversely affect economies surrounding ecosystems. By combining genetic algorithm NSGA‐II with process‐based pollinator model simulates bee foraging population dynamics, Poll4pop, we ‘evolve’ typical UK agricultural identify land cover configurations three different guilds bee. These compared those resulting from optimisations farm income alone, as well that seek compromise between populations objectives. find proportions landscapes optimised each guild their nesting habitat preferences rather than preferences, highlighting limiting resource within study landscape. The spatially explicit nature illustrates how improvement given target species be by differences movement range scale units being improved. Land composition configuration differ significantly growth simultaneously illustrate agents required much more multifaceted biodiversity is recognised represented multiple objectives optimisation framework. Our methods provide way quantify extent real‐life promote or end‐users. investigation suggests set‐up (decision‐unit scales, traditional choice single metric) can bias outcomes towards human‐centric solutions. It also demonstrates importance representing individual requirements actors landscape‐level algorithms support biodiversity‐inclusive decision‐making multi‐functional landscapes.

Language: Английский

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Agrossilvipastoril systems such as timber production options and carbon stock

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 8, 2024

In Agrossilvipastoril systems trees are cultivated together with agricultural crops or animals, aiming at multiple uses therefore constituting a viable option for better soil use. Thus, reversing the processes of degradation natural resources, to increase availability wood, food and environmental services emerging as sustainable alternative currently used wood production systems. Here we investigate effect Silvi-agricultural Silvi-pastoral on dendrometric data, mean annual increment (MAI), CO₂ sequestration, density anatomical features Croton floribundus Guazuma ulmifolia trees. The highest values DBH (1.3 m from ground), tree volume, volume per ha MAI were observed in silvi-agricultural system. Among systems, presented higher compared While silvi-pastoral system, greater consequently trees, occurred G. when C. floribundus. sequestration corroborated MAI, Wood properties affected part by type We report shorter fibers thicker walls system Additionally, show that it is possible associate planting short-cycle obtain carbon stock still be aligned criteria Environmental, Social, Governance. Results encourage practice agroforestry sources income.

Language: Английский

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Assessing pollinator abundance and services to enhance agricultural sustainability and crop yield optimization in the Qilian Mountains

Agricultural Systems, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 221, P. 104109 - 104109

Published: Aug. 30, 2024

Language: Английский

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Adapt Research to the Anthropocene

Anthropocene, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 48, P. 100455 - 100455

Published: Oct. 31, 2024

Language: Английский

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