85% of sites had suffered declines in pollinator species richness of between 10 and 50% over the past 80-100 years.
Maps made more than seventy years ago and records collected by amateur naturalists between the World Wars are providing new clues about declining pollinator numbers, ecologists have found. By showing which land use changes have driven pollinator declines over the past 100 years, the research reveals how we could ensure future land use benefits these vital insects. The results are presented at INTECOL, the world’s largest international ecology meeting, in London this week.
Using newly-developed statistical techniques, the team from Reading, Leeds and the Centre for Hydrology & Ecology analysed two sets of historical data: pollinator data from 1921-1950 based on more than half a million records collected by the Bees, Wasps and Ants Recording Society since 1800 and now digitised; and the Dudley Stamp Land Utilisation survey from the 1930s, the earliest known land use map of Britain.
By comparing this historical data for 21 sites across England with recent pollinator records and land cover maps, they found that 85% of sites had suffered declines in pollinator species richness of between 10 and 50% over the past 80-100 years.
The results show urban landscapes might not be as detrimental to pollinator communities as previously thought; sites with an increased level of urbanisation around them show smaller declines in pollinator diversity. According to Dr Deepa Senapathi of the University of Reading: “This doesn’t mean that concrete jungles are good for pollinators, but urban environments may offer diverse forage resources in the shape of people’s gardens, parks, churchyards and green spaces which in turn could help support these insects.”
This is the first study of its kind to look at the impact of historic land-use change on pollinator communities in Britain. It shows that the dramatic changes in land use since World War II – in particular agricultural intensification and urbanisation – have had a significant impact on pollinator communities.
As well as helping explain how past land use change has driven pollinator declines, history offers important lessons about how to improve things in future. “Understanding the major step changes in land utilisation over the last 80-100 years provides a unique understanding of the drivers within changing land-use that might have the most significant impact on pollinator communities,” Dr Senapathi says.
The Latest Bing News on:
Pollinators
- Sea creatures pollinate marine plants and algae, surprising scientistson August 8, 2022 at 6:33 am
Once thought to be a land-only phenomenon, pollination may have existed in the ocean millions of years before terrestrial plants appeared.
- Monarch butterflies are endangered: Here’s how home gardeners can helpon August 8, 2022 at 5:00 am
The species will again be assessed in 2024 to determine whether it will receive protections under the Endangered Species Act.
- BASF donates $50,000 to The Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund’s Seed a Legacy programon August 7, 2022 at 2:10 pm
BASF Agricultural Solutions North America announced it will donate $50,000 to The Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund’s Seed A Legacy pollinator habitat program. The donation is part of BASF’s annual ...
- New activity book lets kids learn about habitats and pollinatorson August 6, 2022 at 6:42 am
There’s a new activity book by the Three Rivers Park District that helps kids discover nature and get interested in the outdoors.
- Protecting local pollinatorson August 6, 2022 at 4:56 am
Princeton City Park's Pollinator Garden is a hidden gem in the Princeton area that has multiple uses for the public and the pollinators that it serves. Princeton native Becky Kidwell is the main ...
- More than a hobby, local beekeepers seek to educate, protect pollinatorson August 5, 2022 at 1:18 pm
Despite the use of a non-lethal spray that causes many of the insects to fly away for a few moments, several bees hover around, wanting to protect the fruits of their labor. “I’ve just always had an ...
- Saving pollinators one flower at a timeon August 5, 2022 at 6:04 am
Butterflies, bees, beetles and more are all pollinators and important to save. Planting native plants and using less pesticides are both ways to help build up ...
- How farmers are helping survey native pollinators on Vancouver Islandon August 5, 2022 at 3:11 am
These pollinators are critical for growing food, but little is known about the native bee species supporting the island’s farmers.
- Make a floating flower bowl, learn what pollinators want: tips from Lancaster's latest garden showon August 5, 2022 at 1:00 am
Monarch butterflies are beautiful; they’re pollinators and they’re in peril. Planting flowers like Mexican sunflower will help attract and feed them. To support pollinators, we need more flowers, ...
- Home & Gardenon August 4, 2022 at 5:00 pm
Editor’s Note: This is Part 1 of 2 columns about how you can support pollinators in your garden. June was named Colorado’s Pollinators Month to create awareness about the many ways you can ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Pollinators
The Latest Bing News on:
Pollinator numbers
- Sea creatures pollinate marine plants and algae, surprising scientistson August 8, 2022 at 6:33 am
Once thought to be a land-only phenomenon, pollination may have existed in the ocean millions of years before terrestrial plants appeared.
- Monarch butterflies are endangered: Here’s how home gardeners can helpon August 8, 2022 at 5:00 am
The species will again be assessed in 2024 to determine whether it will receive protections under the Endangered Species Act.
- BASF donates $50,000 to The Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund’s Seed a Legacy programon August 7, 2022 at 2:10 pm
BASF Agricultural Solutions North America announced it will donate $50,000 to The Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund’s Seed A Legacy pollinator habitat program. The donation is part of BASF’s annual ...
- How farmers are helping survey native pollinators on Vancouver Islandon August 5, 2022 at 3:11 am
These pollinators are critical for growing food, but little is known about the native bee species supporting the island’s farmers.
- Great Georgia Pollinator Census coming to Pebble Hillon August 2, 2022 at 3:21 pm
Georgia residents will have the opportunity to help researchers find out what's the buzz with insect pollinators in their state. Pebble Hill Plantation in , Georgia will be hosting The University of ...
- White egret orchid evolved frilly petal to support pollinator hawkmothon July 29, 2022 at 4:09 am
The wild orchid Habenaria radiata's pure white petals resemble a white egret in flight (hence its common name white egret orchid). H. radiata has been loved by people since ancient times but the ...
- The unique pollination strategies of plants ensure their survivalon July 27, 2022 at 1:52 am
South Africa is filled with an array of remarkable plant species. Landscape designer Leon Kluge spoke to Magda du Toit about this mysterious world of flora and the tricks they have developed ...
- ‘Insect apocalypse’ may cause plants to battle for pollinators and ‘destabilise’ co-existenceon July 24, 2022 at 10:15 pm
Pollinators may destabilise plant competition by favoring common plant species at expense of rarer competitors’ ...
- Plants Will Start Battling For Pollinators as Insects Decline. Losing Could Mean Exileon July 23, 2022 at 11:02 am
Plants can go to extraordinary lengths to tempt pollinators to do their bidding. From donning female insect disguises (complete with pheromones!) to lure lustful males, oozing the stench of rotting ...
- Dwindling pollinator numbers could make plant communities less diverseon July 20, 2022 at 8:04 am
Previous studies have suggested that this fall in pollinator numbers will lead to fewer plants being pollinated and so to fewer seeds being produced. But plants also compete for pollinators and it ...