Pollinators and Perceptions: A Socio-Ecological Examination of Pollinator Recruitment Methods Utilized in Urban Agriculture and Their Impacts on Pollinator Communities in Southwest Ohio
Date of Award
8-1-2024
Degree Name
M.S. in Biology
Department
Department of Biology
Advisor/Chair
Chelse Prather
Abstract
Pollinators are essential to agriculture and with the increase in urban farming, there is great concern regarding insect pollinators and their pollination services in urban spaces. While there has been extensive literature looking at bee abundance and biodiversity in urban environments, there has been little research studying the efficacy of currently utilized pollinator recruitment practices in urban agricultural systems. In Dayton, Ohio, and the surrounding area, 18 urban and peri-urban agricultural sites were sampled for insect pollinator activity. Timed observations over three sampling seasons; spring, summer, and late summer, totaling over 54 hours of floral visits were conducted to assess insect pollinator activity with insects tallied by Order and easily identified bee genus. Pan traps (3 sets per site) for each of the sampling seasons were used to further assess pollinator activity at each of the 18 agricultural sites. Hand netting was utilized to assess bee species richness for bees unable to be identified during observations. In addition to traditional methods of looking at pollinator activity, an important component of this research was a sociological study that looks at the farmers and how their efforts may affect the pollinator activity observed on their agricultural plots. To examine this relationship, I conducted a 13-question electronic survey and one-on-one oral interviews with each farmer in addition to biological sampling. My results suggest that in urban and peri-urban environments the most effective pollinator recruitment practices involve implementing at least four different methods that provide stable resources such as food, water, and shelter; these activities increase pollinator activity and species richness, but only in the late summer months (Figure 21; Pollinator Recruitment Methods Utilized: df=39,4, F= 2.78, p=0.039). Providing diverse floral resources increases insect pollinator visits (Figure 19; Native Flowers: df=45, F=3.73, p=0.031) and bee species richness (Figure 20; Native Flowers: df=45, F= 9.37, p<0.001), especially when native floral resources are provided. Honeybee hive presence did not increase Apis mellifera floral visits (Figure 12; Beehives: df=48, F=0.08, p=0.77) or negatively affect wild bee floral visits at sites (Figure 12; Beehives: df=48, F=2.82, p=0.09). There were on average more wild bee visits than Apis mellifera visits at all sites sampled regardless of the presence of a managed Apis mellifera beehive. By implementing more than four recruitment methods, and providing stable resources such as floral resources, insect pollinator activity can be promoted in an urban agricultural setting. The results of this study could have large implications on what types of pollinator recruitment methods are implemented and to what extent these pollinator recruitment methods are utilized to promote insect pollinator abundance and diversity in urban and periurban areas throughout southwestern Ohio.
Keywords
insect pollinators, wild bees, urban agriculture, pollinator recruitment methods
Rights Statement
Copyright © 2024, author.
Recommended Citation
Urquidez, Samantha, "Pollinators and Perceptions: A Socio-Ecological Examination of Pollinator Recruitment Methods Utilized in Urban Agriculture and Their Impacts on Pollinator Communities in Southwest Ohio" (2024). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 7430.
https://ecommons.udayton.edu/graduate_theses/7430
