Citizen science improves our understanding of the impact of soil management on wild pollinator abundance in agroecosystems

PloS One
Logan R AppenfellerZsofia Szendrei

Abstract

Native bees provide essential pollination services in both natural and managed ecosystems. However, declines in native bee species highlight the need for increased understanding of land management methods that can promote healthy, persistent populations and diverse communities. This can be challenging and costly using traditional scientific methods, but citizen science can overcome many limitations. In this study, we examined the distribution and abundance of an agriculturally important wild bee species, the squash bee (Eucera (Peponapis) pruinosa, Hymenoptera: Apidae). They are ground nesting, specialist bees that depend on cultivated varieties of Cucurbita (squash, pumpkins, gourds). The intimate relationship between squash bees and their host plants suggests that they are likely sensitive to farm management practices, particularly those that disturb the soil. In this study, citizen scientists across Michigan used a survey to submit field management and bee observation data. Survey results indicated that squash bees occupy a wide geographic range and are more abundant in farms with reduced soil disturbance. Citizen science provided an inexpensive and effective method for examining impacts of farm management practices on squas...Continue Reading

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Citations

Nov 5, 2020·Plants·Antonio João de Lima NetoLéon E Parent

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Software Mentioned

Google Sheets
glmmADMB
Squash Bee Survey
stats
AppSheet
emmeans
Google Drive
bbmle

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