TY - ABST

T1 - Investigating the value of gardens for providing floral resources to pollinating insects

AU - Lowe, Abigail

AU - Jones, Laura

AU - Ford, Col R.

AU - Creer, Simon

AU - de Vere, Natasha

PY - 2019

Y1 - 2019

N2 - Background: Pollination is a key ecosystem service that has significant economic value as well as facilitating wider ecosystem function. There has been a considerable decline of pollinators in recent years, owing to pressures such as habitat fragmentation, climate change, pests, and disease. As floral resources are a limiting factor of pollinator abundance, gardens could play a key role in alleviating pollinator declines by providing a wealth of native and non-native resources and increasing floristic diversity throughout the year. The aim of this study is to identify foraging preferences in order to provide appropriate resources. Results: We have sampled 72 bees (honeybees, solitary bees, and bumble bees) and 85 hoverflies across eight areas of varying habitat type within the National Botanic Garden of Wales and Waun Las National Nature Reserve, Wales, UK. Honey has also been sampled monthly between April and September from an apiary at each site. Foraging will be investigated using DNA metabarcoding of rbcL and ITS2 markers. The area surrounding the study sites has been surveyed during the same period that pollinators were sampled, to create arecord of what floral resources are available at each time period, and how much of the floral availability is utilised by the pollinators. We will investigate inter- and intraspecific partitioning of floral resources and whether native or non-native plants are preferred. Significance: Extensive lists name pollinator-friendly plants that can be planted to aid biodiversity; however, these lists are inconsistent, and only a limited number is based on clear scientific evidence. There are doubts about their attractiveness to pollinators, and whether they are pesticide free. The results of this research will be delivered to gardeners and policy makers to aid in pollinator conservation management and used to recommend plants for the creation of seed mixes which target specific species or groups.

AB - Background: Pollination is a key ecosystem service that has significant economic value as well as facilitating wider ecosystem function. There has been a considerable decline of pollinators in recent years, owing to pressures such as habitat fragmentation, climate change, pests, and disease. As floral resources are a limiting factor of pollinator abundance, gardens could play a key role in alleviating pollinator declines by providing a wealth of native and non-native resources and increasing floristic diversity throughout the year. The aim of this study is to identify foraging preferences in order to provide appropriate resources. Results: We have sampled 72 bees (honeybees, solitary bees, and bumble bees) and 85 hoverflies across eight areas of varying habitat type within the National Botanic Garden of Wales and Waun Las National Nature Reserve, Wales, UK. Honey has also been sampled monthly between April and September from an apiary at each site. Foraging will be investigated using DNA metabarcoding of rbcL and ITS2 markers. The area surrounding the study sites has been surveyed during the same period that pollinators were sampled, to create arecord of what floral resources are available at each time period, and how much of the floral availability is utilised by the pollinators. We will investigate inter- and intraspecific partitioning of floral resources and whether native or non-native plants are preferred. Significance: Extensive lists name pollinator-friendly plants that can be planted to aid biodiversity; however, these lists are inconsistent, and only a limited number is based on clear scientific evidence. There are doubts about their attractiveness to pollinators, and whether they are pesticide free. The results of this research will be delivered to gardeners and policy makers to aid in pollinator conservation management and used to recommend plants for the creation of seed mixes which target specific species or groups.

U2 - 10.1139/gen-2019-0083

DO - 10.1139/gen-2019-0083

M3 - Conference abstract in journal

VL - 62

SP - 401

JO - Genome

JF - Genome

SN - 0831-2796

IS - 6

T2 - 8th International Barcode of Life Conference 2019

Y2 - 17 June 2019 through 20 June 2019

ER -