The Experts below are selected from a list of 327 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Jane C. Stout - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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quantifying the impacts of bioenergy crops on pollinating insect abundance and diversity a field scale evaluation reveals taxon specific responses
Journal of Applied Ecology, 2013Co-Authors: Dara A. Stanley, Jane C. StoutAbstract:Summary Global declines in pollinating insects have been linked with agricultural intensification and land-use change. Increased production of novel crops for bioenergy is causing changes in agricultural practice, but the effects on different pollinating taxa have not yet been quantified. However, the major pollinating groups (social Bees, Solitary Bees, hoverflies and butterflies) are likely to respond differently to changes in land use and shifts in crop cultivation patterns. We assessed the impacts of two bioenergy crops, oilseed rape Brassica napus L. and Miscanthus Miscanthus X giganteus on (i) the diversity and abundance of four taxonomic groups of pollinating insects, (ii) insect community composition, (iii) floral resources and (iv) nesting sites for bumbleBees, by comparing bioenergy crops with conventional arable and grass crops in a large network of commercial fields. We found that although there were more bumbleBees in oilseed rape fields, conventional crops and bioenergy crops did not differ greatly in species richness of most pollinator groups, although more floral resources were found in the bioenergy crops. However, Solitary Bees were more abundant and species rich in energy crops than conventional wheat, and more trap-nesting Bees and wasps were found in Miscanthus than oilseed rape. In addition, novel assemblages of Solitary Bees were found in the bioenergy crops. All pollinator groups, and flowering plants, were more abundant in field margins than in the centre of crop fields. Although there were no differences among crop types, nest-searching bumbleBees were confined to field margins. This highlights the importance of field margins as forage and nesting habitat for pollinators in farmland. Synthesis and applications. Differential responses to field-scale growth of bioenergy crops were displayed by the taxonomic groups studied, suggesting that effects on biodiversity cannot be generalized from studies based on a small suite of taxonomic groups and must include a range of taxa for overarching results. To optimize habitat for pollinators in agricultural areas, our data suggest that a diversity of crop types at small scales may have positive impacts and supports appropriate management and conservation of field margins and hedgerows during conversion to bioenergy production.
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Quantifying the impacts of bioenergy crops on pollinating insect abundance and diversity: a field‐scale evaluation reveals taxon‐specific responses
Journal of Applied Ecology, 2013Co-Authors: Dara A. Stanley, Jane C. StoutAbstract:Summary Global declines in pollinating insects have been linked with agricultural intensification and land-use change. Increased production of novel crops for bioenergy is causing changes in agricultural practice, but the effects on different pollinating taxa have not yet been quantified. However, the major pollinating groups (social Bees, Solitary Bees, hoverflies and butterflies) are likely to respond differently to changes in land use and shifts in crop cultivation patterns. We assessed the impacts of two bioenergy crops, oilseed rape Brassica napus L. and Miscanthus Miscanthus X giganteus on (i) the diversity and abundance of four taxonomic groups of pollinating insects, (ii) insect community composition, (iii) floral resources and (iv) nesting sites for bumbleBees, by comparing bioenergy crops with conventional arable and grass crops in a large network of commercial fields. We found that although there were more bumbleBees in oilseed rape fields, conventional crops and bioenergy crops did not differ greatly in species richness of most pollinator groups, although more floral resources were found in the bioenergy crops. However, Solitary Bees were more abundant and species rich in energy crops than conventional wheat, and more trap-nesting Bees and wasps were found in Miscanthus than oilseed rape. In addition, novel assemblages of Solitary Bees were found in the bioenergy crops. All pollinator groups, and flowering plants, were more abundant in field margins than in the centre of crop fields. Although there were no differences among crop types, nest-searching bumbleBees were confined to field margins. This highlights the importance of field margins as forage and nesting habitat for pollinators in farmland. Synthesis and applications. Differential responses to field-scale growth of bioenergy crops were displayed by the taxonomic groups studied, suggesting that effects on biodiversity cannot be generalized from studies based on a small suite of taxonomic groups and must include a range of taxa for overarching results. To optimize habitat for pollinators in agricultural areas, our data suggest that a diversity of crop types at small scales may have positive impacts and supports appropriate management and conservation of field margins and hedgerows during conversion to bioenergy production.
Katherine J. Willis - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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flower preferences and pollen transport networks for cavity nesting Solitary Bees implications for the design of agri environment schemes
Ecology and Evolution, 2018Co-Authors: Catherine Gresty, Elizabeth L. Clare, Dion S. Devey, Robyn S. Cowan, Laszlo Csiba, Panagiota Malakasi, Owen T. Lewis, Katherine J. WillisAbstract:Floral foraging resources are valuable for pollinator conservation on farmland, and their provision is encouraged by agri‐environment schemes in many countries. Across Europe, wildflower seed mixtures are widely sown on farmland to encourage pollinators, but the extent to which key pollinator groups such as Solitary Bees exploit and benefit from these resources is unclear. We used high‐throughput sequencing of 164 pollen samples extracted from the brood cells of six common cavity‐nesting Solitary bee species (Osmia bicornis, Osmia caerulescens, Megachile versicolor, Megachile ligniseca, Megachile centuncularis and Hylaeus confusus) which are widely distributed across the UK and Europe. We documented their pollen use across 19 farms in southern England, UK, revealing their forage plants and examining the structure of their pollen transport networks. Of the 32 plant species included currently in sown wildflower mixes, 15 were recorded as present within close foraging range of the Bees on the study farms, but only Ranunculus acris L. was identified within the pollen samples. Rosa canina L. was the most commonly found of the 23 plant species identified in the pollen samples, suggesting that, in addition to providing a nesting resource for Megachile leafcutter Bees, it may be an important forage plant for these species. Higher levels of connectance and nestedness were characteristic of pollen transport networks on farms with abundant floral resources, which may increase resilience to species loss. Our data suggest that plant species promoted currently by agri‐environment schemes are not optimal for Solitary bee foraging. If a diverse community of pollinators is to be supported on UK and European farmland, additional species such as R. canina should be encouraged to meet the foraging requirements of Solitary Bees.
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Flower preferences and pollen transport networks for cavity‐nesting Solitary Bees: implications for the design of agri‐environment schemes
Ecology and Evolution, 2018Co-Authors: Catherine Gresty, Elizabeth L. Clare, Dion S. Devey, Robyn S. Cowan, Laszlo Csiba, Panagiota Malakasi, Owen T. Lewis, Katherine J. WillisAbstract:Floral foraging resources are valuable for pollinator conservation on farmland, and their provision is encouraged by agri‐environment schemes in many countries. Across Europe, wildflower seed mixtures are widely sown on farmland to encourage pollinators, but the extent to which key pollinator groups such as Solitary Bees exploit and benefit from these resources is unclear. We used high‐throughput sequencing of 164 pollen samples extracted from the brood cells of six common cavity‐nesting Solitary bee species (Osmia bicornis, Osmia caerulescens, Megachile versicolor, Megachile ligniseca, Megachile centuncularis and Hylaeus confusus) which are widely distributed across the UK and Europe. We documented their pollen use across 19 farms in southern England, UK, revealing their forage plants and examining the structure of their pollen transport networks. Of the 32 plant species included currently in sown wildflower mixes, 15 were recorded as present within close foraging range of the Bees on the study farms, but only Ranunculus acris L. was identified within the pollen samples. Rosa canina L. was the most commonly found of the 23 plant species identified in the pollen samples, suggesting that, in addition to providing a nesting resource for Megachile leafcutter Bees, it may be an important forage plant for these species. Higher levels of connectance and nestedness were characteristic of pollen transport networks on farms with abundant floral resources, which may increase resilience to species loss. Our data suggest that plant species promoted currently by agri‐environment schemes are not optimal for Solitary bee foraging. If a diverse community of pollinators is to be supported on UK and European farmland, additional species such as R. canina should be encouraged to meet the foraging requirements of Solitary Bees.
Dara A. Stanley - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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quantifying the impacts of bioenergy crops on pollinating insect abundance and diversity a field scale evaluation reveals taxon specific responses
Journal of Applied Ecology, 2013Co-Authors: Dara A. Stanley, Jane C. StoutAbstract:Summary Global declines in pollinating insects have been linked with agricultural intensification and land-use change. Increased production of novel crops for bioenergy is causing changes in agricultural practice, but the effects on different pollinating taxa have not yet been quantified. However, the major pollinating groups (social Bees, Solitary Bees, hoverflies and butterflies) are likely to respond differently to changes in land use and shifts in crop cultivation patterns. We assessed the impacts of two bioenergy crops, oilseed rape Brassica napus L. and Miscanthus Miscanthus X giganteus on (i) the diversity and abundance of four taxonomic groups of pollinating insects, (ii) insect community composition, (iii) floral resources and (iv) nesting sites for bumbleBees, by comparing bioenergy crops with conventional arable and grass crops in a large network of commercial fields. We found that although there were more bumbleBees in oilseed rape fields, conventional crops and bioenergy crops did not differ greatly in species richness of most pollinator groups, although more floral resources were found in the bioenergy crops. However, Solitary Bees were more abundant and species rich in energy crops than conventional wheat, and more trap-nesting Bees and wasps were found in Miscanthus than oilseed rape. In addition, novel assemblages of Solitary Bees were found in the bioenergy crops. All pollinator groups, and flowering plants, were more abundant in field margins than in the centre of crop fields. Although there were no differences among crop types, nest-searching bumbleBees were confined to field margins. This highlights the importance of field margins as forage and nesting habitat for pollinators in farmland. Synthesis and applications. Differential responses to field-scale growth of bioenergy crops were displayed by the taxonomic groups studied, suggesting that effects on biodiversity cannot be generalized from studies based on a small suite of taxonomic groups and must include a range of taxa for overarching results. To optimize habitat for pollinators in agricultural areas, our data suggest that a diversity of crop types at small scales may have positive impacts and supports appropriate management and conservation of field margins and hedgerows during conversion to bioenergy production.
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Quantifying the impacts of bioenergy crops on pollinating insect abundance and diversity: a field‐scale evaluation reveals taxon‐specific responses
Journal of Applied Ecology, 2013Co-Authors: Dara A. Stanley, Jane C. StoutAbstract:Summary Global declines in pollinating insects have been linked with agricultural intensification and land-use change. Increased production of novel crops for bioenergy is causing changes in agricultural practice, but the effects on different pollinating taxa have not yet been quantified. However, the major pollinating groups (social Bees, Solitary Bees, hoverflies and butterflies) are likely to respond differently to changes in land use and shifts in crop cultivation patterns. We assessed the impacts of two bioenergy crops, oilseed rape Brassica napus L. and Miscanthus Miscanthus X giganteus on (i) the diversity and abundance of four taxonomic groups of pollinating insects, (ii) insect community composition, (iii) floral resources and (iv) nesting sites for bumbleBees, by comparing bioenergy crops with conventional arable and grass crops in a large network of commercial fields. We found that although there were more bumbleBees in oilseed rape fields, conventional crops and bioenergy crops did not differ greatly in species richness of most pollinator groups, although more floral resources were found in the bioenergy crops. However, Solitary Bees were more abundant and species rich in energy crops than conventional wheat, and more trap-nesting Bees and wasps were found in Miscanthus than oilseed rape. In addition, novel assemblages of Solitary Bees were found in the bioenergy crops. All pollinator groups, and flowering plants, were more abundant in field margins than in the centre of crop fields. Although there were no differences among crop types, nest-searching bumbleBees were confined to field margins. This highlights the importance of field margins as forage and nesting habitat for pollinators in farmland. Synthesis and applications. Differential responses to field-scale growth of bioenergy crops were displayed by the taxonomic groups studied, suggesting that effects on biodiversity cannot be generalized from studies based on a small suite of taxonomic groups and must include a range of taxa for overarching results. To optimize habitat for pollinators in agricultural areas, our data suggest that a diversity of crop types at small scales may have positive impacts and supports appropriate management and conservation of field margins and hedgerows during conversion to bioenergy production.
Josep Daniel Asis - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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comparison of two mediterranean crop systems polycrop favours trap nesting Solitary Bees over monocrop
Basic and Applied Ecology, 2013Co-Authors: Laura Banospicon, F Torres, Jose Tormos, S F Gayubo, Josep Daniel AsisAbstract:Abstract Landscape, in terms of crop diversity, together with spatial heterogeneity, connectivity and the proportion of natural elements all play a key role in the quality of the agricultural matrix. The abundant resources derived from the high productivity associated with cultivated lands within agricultural landscapes – formed by mosaics comprising small elements and systems of low agricultural intensity – may favour the populations and communities of certain insect species. Here, trap-nesting Solitary Bees have been studied to evaluate the effect of two Mediterranean crop systems: monocrops (vineyard and cereal) and polycrops (mixed vegetable crop) for two levels of farming intensity (high-intensity vs. low-intensity) on brood cells and emergent progeny of the bee population and community species richness. Polycrops proved favourable compared to monocrops, with the former proving particularly favourable for offspring production (brood cells and emergent progeny) of Bees belonging to the genus Osmia. Bee populations, especially polylectic species, may benefit from the traits characterizing this polycrop, which provide plentiful and diverse resources both in space and time. Farming intensity, regardless the crop type, is also an important factor affecting bee community structure. Low farming intensity maintains essential semi-natural habitats providing shelter for species-rich communities. Crop richness, together with low farming intensity would provide heterogeneous landscapes with a variety of natural and cultivated resources, benefitting trap-nesting bee populations.
Rogel Villanuevagutierrez - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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invasive africanized honey bee impact on native Solitary Bees a pollen resource and trap nest analysis
Biological Journal of The Linnean Society, 2009Co-Authors: David W Roubik, Rogel VillanuevagutierrezAbstract:Little is known of the potential coevolution of flowers and Bees in changing, biodiverse environments. Female Solitary Bees, megachilids and Centris, and their nest pollen provisions were monitored with trap nests over a 17-year period in a tropical Mexican biosphere reserve. Invasion by feral Apis (i.e. Africanized honey Bees) occurred after the study began, and major droughts and hurricanes occurred throughout. Honey bee competition, and ostensibly pollination of native plants, caused changes in local pollination ecology. Shifts in floral hosts by native Bees were common and driven by plant phylogenetics, whereby plants of the same families or higher taxa were substituted for those dominated by honey Bees or lost as a result of natural processes. Two important plant families, Anacardiaceae and Euphorbiaceae, were lost to competing honey Bees, but compensated for by greater use of Fabaceae, Rubiaceae, and Sapotaceae among native Bees. Natural disasters made a large negative impact on native bee populations, but the sustained presence of Africanized honey Bees did not. Over 171 plant species comprised the pollen diets of the honey Bees, including those most important to Centris and megachilids (72 and 28 species, respectively). Honey bee pollination of Pouteria (Sapotaceae) plausibly augmented the native Bees’ primary pollen resource and prevented their decline. Invasive generalist pollinators may, however, cause specialized competitors to fail, especially in less biodiverse environments. No claim to original US government works. Journal compilation © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 98, 152–160.
