2020 Research in the Capitol

Assessing CP - 42 Habitat Value for Bees using the Floral Resource Index

Presentation Type

Open Access Poster Presentation

Keywords

Bees--Habitat--Iowa; Bees--Conservation--Iowa; Prairie plants--Conservation--Iowa;

Abstract

The large portion of native prairies in Iowa has been drastically reduced to 0.01%. Habitat loss is one of the main contributors to the massive decline in the native bee population. Native pollinators are essential to the ecosystem and pollination of row crops. The Conservation Reserve Program launched the CP-42 program for forbs and grasses to be planted to increase pollinator habitat. We assessed CP-42 habitat value by analyzing the correlation of the sites’ floral resources with bee density. Floral resources were recorded from live flowers, and bees were captured using sweep netting techniques. The data suggests that a site with less abundant floral resources can still provide high quality habitat for pollinators. Certain bee-friendly floral sources attract higher diversity and density of wild bees than other plants. To maximize the habitat value of CRP plantation, it is important to provide post-planting monitoring of the vegetation quality and quantity.

Start Date

24-3-2020 11:00 AM

End Date

24-3-2020 2:30 PM

Event Host

University Honors Programs, Iowa Regent Universities

Faculty Advisor

Ai Wen

Department

Department of Biology

Comments

Poster Co-Authored by Allison Eagan, Gabrielle Brown, and Dr. Ai Wen.

File Format

application/pdf

Link to Full Text

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Mar 24th, 11:00 AM Mar 24th, 2:30 PM

Assessing CP - 42 Habitat Value for Bees using the Floral Resource Index

The large portion of native prairies in Iowa has been drastically reduced to 0.01%. Habitat loss is one of the main contributors to the massive decline in the native bee population. Native pollinators are essential to the ecosystem and pollination of row crops. The Conservation Reserve Program launched the CP-42 program for forbs and grasses to be planted to increase pollinator habitat. We assessed CP-42 habitat value by analyzing the correlation of the sites’ floral resources with bee density. Floral resources were recorded from live flowers, and bees were captured using sweep netting techniques. The data suggests that a site with less abundant floral resources can still provide high quality habitat for pollinators. Certain bee-friendly floral sources attract higher diversity and density of wild bees than other plants. To maximize the habitat value of CRP plantation, it is important to provide post-planting monitoring of the vegetation quality and quantity.