bumble-bee density on flower mixtures sown for agri-environment schemes

Landscape context not patch size determines bumble-bee density on flower mixtures sown for agri-environment schemes.

Bumble-bee declines across Europe have been linked to loss of habitat and forage availability due to agricultural intensification. These declines may have severe ecological and commercial consequences since bumble-bees pollinate a range of wildflowers and crops. In England, attempts are being made to reintroduce forage resources through agri-environment schemes, yet there are few data on how th...

Comparing the efficacy of agri-environment schemes to enhance bumble bee abundance and diversity on arable field margins

1. Declines in abundance and diversity of bumble bees ( Bombus spp.) in Europe have been linked to agricultural intensification and the resulting loss of suitable foraging and nesting habitats. Environmental Stewardship (ES) is a new scheme in England offering the opportunity to restore habitats of value for these important pollinators to agricultural land. Scientific evaluation of the options ...

Landscape context not patch size determines 1 bumblebee density on flower mixtures sown for agri - 2 environment schemes

University of Sussex the Effect of Agri-environment Schemes on Farmland Bee Populations

Over the past century there have been substantial declines in farmland biodiversity as a result of the intensification of agricultural practice. Concerns over these declines have led to the development of agri-environment schemes designed to mitigate the effects of intensive agriculture and to benefit biodiversity. Prior to commencing this thesis it was not clear if flower-rich, pollinator-focu...

Providing foraging resources for solitary bees on farmland: current schemes for pollinators benefit a limited suite of species

1. Changes in agricultural practice across Europe and North America have been associated with range contractions and a decline in the abundance of wild bees. Concerns at these declines have led to the development of flower-rich agri-environment schemes as a way to enhance bee diversity and abundance. Whilst the effect of these schemes on bumblebee species (Bombus spp.) has been well studied, th...