Articles tagged with Pollinators
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A new study finds that viral presence in wild bees is linked to floral communities and landscape-level resource availability. Researchers discovered that certain flower communities increase the likelihood of viruses and that flowers can serve as hubs for virus transmission between wild bees and honey bees.
The Safeguard project is concluding after four and a half years of research on European wild pollinators. The final conference will bring together stakeholders to review results and discuss future directions for pollinator conservation.
Research suggests that tropical smallholder farms in fragmented landscapes can maintain healthy pollinator populations and fruit production, contrary to expectations. The study's findings highlight the importance of ecological diversity in supporting wild pollinators.
Researchers explored the impact of urbanization on pollinators, found that trees' root systems shift with age, and discovered sea urchin 'halos' as indicators of ecosystem vulnerability. The studies highlight the need for tailored conservation strategies to address regional ecological challenges.
In a study by Michelle Miner at UC Riverside, bumble bees were found to avoid foraging near ant colonies due to the risk of being bitten. However, aggressive bees who fought back were victorious in individual fights but may ultimately harm their colony by wasting energy.
A new native bee species named Megachile (Hackeriapis) lucifer has been discovered in the Bremer Range region of Western Australia. The striking bee was found visiting both an endangered wildflower and a nearby mallee tree, and its discovery highlights the importance of understanding native bees before their habitats are disturbed.
Researchers analyzed pollinators and fish for changes in behavior after exposure to plant protection products. Exposure to insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides altered nectar processing in honeybees and brood care behavior in zebrafish.
Researchers found that wildflowers are blooming about 17 days sooner than a century ago, while pollinators start flying 11 days earlier. However, some species, like the western bumblebee, are emerging later, which could leave them struggling to find food.
Insect pollinators like bees and butterflies require more natural habitat with diverse flora to thrive, according to a new study analyzing over 178,000 individual pollinators from 19 countries. The research found minimum habitat requirements vary between species, ranging from 6% for hoverflies to 37% for butterflies.
A study of migratory hoverflies on an oil rig in the North Sea revealed that they can transport pollen over great distances, potentially linking plant populations across Europe. The hoverflies carried pollen from up to 14 different plant species, highlighting their importance in agriculture.
A study found that ants can scare away pollinators like bees when defending plants with extrafloral nectaries, which are secretions that attract ants but not pollinators. However, plants with these glands on other locations had increased reproductive success.
A new study reveals that insect abundance is declining by an average annual rate of 6.6% in relatively undisturbed landscapes, leading to significant losses even in pristine areas. Climate change is identified as a key driver of these declines, highlighting the urgent need for biodiversity conservation.
The Kavli Foundation and NSF have announced new grants to explore how nervous systems respond, resist, or recover from the challenges of a changing world. This research aims to uncover fundamental principles of neurobiology and reveal how animals adapt cognitively and behaviorally to a changing world.
A long-term field study found that wild bumble bees strategically target flowers to balance their diet, adjusting their consumption of protein, fat, and carbs based on tongue length and seasonal flower availability. This nuanced approach allows them to thrive together and maintain strong colonies.
A European-wide synthesis finds that pollinator-promoting interventions generally benefit plants and pollinators, with varying effects depending on intervention type and habitat. The study suggests that biodiversity-friendly urban management practices can improve public perception and promote healthier ecosystems.
The decline of seed-dispersing animals, including birds and mammals, hinders the fight against climate change by altering forest composition and reducing carbon absorption. Researchers warn that major global efforts underestimate the importance of frugivores in conservation and restoration strategies.
A team of researchers are studying the reproductive traits of Japanese tree frogs living in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, to understand how radiation affects their survival. Their findings suggest that radiation can disrupt genetic pathways associated with sperm motility, potentially altering reproductive success.
Research reveals that high temperatures and exposure to heavy metals reduce the frequency and pitch of non-flight wing vibrations in bees. This affects their communication, defense, and buzz-pollination abilities, which are crucial for plant reproduction and biodiversity.
A new study finds that climate change may cause a reduced overlap of suitable habitats for wild vanilla plants and their pollinating insects, threatening the survival of natural populations. This could lead to plant-pollinator decoupling, negatively affecting the future of the global food industry.
Researchers develop AI-based monitoring system to link pesticide exposure to honeybee pollen-foraging behavior and overall colony health. The study confirms previous findings that neonicotinoid pesticides affect honeybee colony dynamics.
Research explores how climate change affects elk populations, alpine plant communities and bee microbiomes. For example, a study found that food availability, not just overall quality, impacts elk pregnancy rates, while another study showed limited changes in mountain plant species over nearly two decades.
Researchers found that common urban pollinator plants like white clover and bindweed accumulate toxic metals from contaminated soils, posing a risk to bee health. To mitigate this, scientists recommend testing soil for metals before planting wildflowers and choosing plant species suitable for the local conditions.
The Safeguard project has published a collection of practice abstracts on EU CAP Network to provide practical recommendations for conserving European wild pollinators. The outputs explore critical issues surrounding pollinator conservation, including inadequate animal pollination and the impact of rising temperatures.
Research articles explore relative effectiveness of wildfire fuel treatments, geese impact on Arctic breeding grounds, bumble bee foraging behavior in agricultural areas, and the discovery of epiphytes in cities.
Research proposes a new methodology for dynamically optimizing solar panel positioning based on the light needs of crops. Advanced ray tracing techniques are used to evaluate the distribution of solar radiation, enabling the automation of design optimization of agrivoltaic systems.
The AGRI4POL project aims to transform agriculture into a positive force for biodiversity and crop pollination services. It will deliver an integrated analysis of the crop-farming system-pollinator interplay across biological organisation levels.
A recent study by the University of the Basque Country reveals that pollinator diversity is essential for maintaining ecosystem health and plant reproduction. The research, conducted across 46 countries, found that a decline in wild pollinators has a negative impact on plants' reproductive success.
The VALOR project aims to understand the cascading impacts of pollinator shifts on ecosystems, farm businesses, and local communities. It will develop a comprehensive approach to gaining insights into the effects of pollinator changes on human well-being.
Researchers are investigating the impact of virus infections on honeybee health, including flight performance and heat shock stress response. The team is also exploring potential supplements to boost immune strength and reduce virus infections in honeybees.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture has received a $210,000 grant to support ongoing integrated pest management programs across the state. The grant will focus on agronomic and specialty crops, pest control in houses and schools, and improving pollinator health.
New research reveals alfalfa-almond intercropping reduces winter soil nitrate leaching and field water loss via evaporation. The practice can capture and convert nitrogen losses into revenues for almond farmers during the non-productive winter season.
The Horizon Europe-funded PollinERA project has launched a new open-access collection in the Food and Ecological Systems Modelling Journal to tackle pollinator population declines. The collection provides ecotoxicological knowledge gaps datasets, pollinator pesticide risk indicators, and models for chemicals and pollinator populations.
The Safe-Hub platform provides a harmonized and standardized database for pollinator health, monitoring, distribution, and conservation. It offers various tools and resources, such as species distribution maps, knowledge library, and events calendar, to support recommendations and co-design solutions for wild pollinator decline.
A new project uses an algorithm to generate unique planting designs prioritizing pollinators' needs, with the goal of creating connected networks of pollinator-friendly gardens. This initiative aims to demonstrate how art can drive innovative ecological conservation and support climate-positive outcomes.
Researchers at the University of Zurich discovered that plants benefit from a variety of interactions with pollinators and herbivores, leading to local adaptation and ecotypes. Plants pollinated by bumblebees adapted best to different soil types, while others showed less significant adaptation.
Climate change has led to decreased pollen production from plants, resulting in less diversity among pollinators, which could significantly impact food production. The study, conducted in the Great Basin region, examines how shifts in flowering times and extreme weather events affect pollinator availability.
A new study finds significant variation in pollinator attractiveness among annual flower cultivars, with some varieties drawing in more insects than others. Begonia and impatiens cultivars were found to be particularly attractive to bees and other pollinators.
The study revealed three genetically distinct populations of rusty-patched bumblebees, highlighting the need for tailored conservation efforts. The analysis showed low colony abundance and high rates of inbreeding, threatening the long-term viability of the species.
A study by the University of Seville researchers confirms Darwin's hypothesis of precise pollination across all angiosperms, with a focus on heterostylous species. The findings show that floral traits and pollinators fit together like a jigsaw puzzle to promote accurate pollen transfer.
Bee colonies face a critical 'hungry gap' when recommended pollinator plants start blooming too late in the spring, resulting in low colony survival and queen production. Adding early-blooming species like ground ivy and red dead-nettle to existing hedgerows can improve colony success rates significantly.
The discovery of a new orchid species in Madagascar has shed light on the country's biodiversity crisis. Solenangis impraedicta boasts an extraordinary nectar spur and is threatened by mining activities and poaching for the orchid trade.
Researchers developed a multi-step process to quantify the dependency of international trade on Nature's Contributions to People (NCPs), including spatial mapping and tracing international trade flows. The study aims to improve knowledge about the complex relationship between nature and international trade, supporting implementing Targ...
A University of Washington team discovered that nitrate radicals in the air degrade scent chemicals released by wildflowers, making them undetectable to nighttime pollinators. The researchers found that pollution likely has worldwide impacts on pollination, with areas including western North America and Europe most affected.
Scientists at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology have produced a comprehensive map of England's hedgerows, revealing over 390,000 km of field boundaries marked by these critical habitats. The new data will guide future habitat restoration efforts and support biodiversity conservation.
The EU Horizon 2020 project Safeguard has launched an open-access collection in the Research Ideas and Outcomes journal, increasing discoverability of wild pollinator research outputs. The collection hosts 14 project papers and aims to become a one-stop knowledge hub for pollinator conservation.
A new study found that bumblebees maximize nectar sugar collection per minute to provide an immediate energy boost for the colony. By trading off time and energy, they choose hard-to-access nectar sources with high sugar content.
Researchers found that the orchid Goodyera henryi on Kozu Island is pollinated by an island wasp, leading to hybridization with another orchid species. The study highlights how plants adapt to changing ecological conditions and has implications for understanding plant evolution in response to declining pollinator populations.
The B-GOOD project will introduce its achievements in improving honey bee health and beekeeping sustainability through an oral presentation, poster sessions, and online participation. The event aims to gather consortium members and external advisors to share knowledge and exchange ideas.
Researchers have discovered a novel nursery pollination system in which fungi-eating orchids and fruit flies engage in mutualistic symbiosis. The study found that the orchids offer their flowers to the flies in exchange for pollination, providing a breeding ground for the flies' larvae.
A new study reveals significant gaps in knowledge of Asian bee species, highlighting the need for more resources to build basic scientific knowledge of bee biodiversity. This knowledge is crucial for managing and maintaining bee diversity, pollination, and food security in Asia.
A new study analyzed existing research on bee-protective measures and found that many common methods are backed by minimal scientific evidence. Researchers urge stronger testing to evaluate effective measures and warn of potential waste of time if ineffective.
Researchers found that ahiflower oil supplementation can recover mitochondrial respiration rates in honey bees exposed to imidacloprid, a common neonicotinoid pesticide. This study suggests the potential for food supplements to decrease honey bee mortalities caused by pesticides.
A study by US Department of Agriculture scientists found that honey bees are more faithful to their flower patches than bumble bees. Honey bees returned to 76% of the same alfalfa flowers, while bumble bees visited only 47%. The difference may be due to honey bees' communication system and risk aversion.
The new exhibition at the National Museum of Natural History in Sofia focuses on the importance of pollinators and the threats they face. Key research projects like B-GOOD, PoshBee, and Safeguard are showcased to promote conservation efforts.
A global analysis of pollinator decline in cities reveals that butterflies are most affected, with shrinking habitats and food availability causing populations to drop. Meanwhile, certain groups of wild bees, such as those nesting above ground, remain less impacted by urbanization.
A recent study refutes the long-held notion that bilateral symmetry in flowers enhances pollination accuracy by animals. The research found that the stabilization of animal flower entry is largely due to the horizontal orientation, rather than floral symmetry.
Native bees in Oregon's Coast Range are diverse and abundant in clearcut areas within years of timber harvest, but numbers drop sharply as the forest canopy closes. Management practices that promote open conditions can enhance floral resources and promote bee diversity.
Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University identify vital differences between the plants, including pollinators and lifespan, confirming their classification. The study highlights the importance of recognizing every species for conservation programs.
A warmer climate is causing bumblebee queens to emerge earlier, potentially disrupting the timing of plant-pollinator interactions. This can lead to reduced biodiversity and lower pollination rates, as some species may not have enough food during their flight period.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that US honey bee colony loss is primarily related to parasitic mites, extreme weather events, and nearby pesticides. The study integrated multiple large datasets at different spatial and temporal resolutions to assess various potential stressors associated with colony collapse across the US.