Pollinator Conservation PDF

POLLINATOR CONSERVATION ZO3 50 What is Pollination? Pollination is how gymnosperms (grass species) and angiosperms (vascular species other than grass) sexually reproduce Pollen prevents inbreeding by carrying the male sperm (sex cells = gametes) f...

POLLINATOR CONSERVATION ZO3 50 What is Pollination? Pollination is how gymnosperms (grass species) and angiosperms (vascular species other than grass) sexually reproduce Pollen prevents inbreeding by carrying the male sperm (sex cells = gametes) from one plant to stigma/ovule on other distant plants A vector is a means of moving pollen from plant to plant The vector can be wind (inefficient) or animals (often mutualism where both species benefit) ZO3 50 Polle Animal pollinated species have sticky, n barbed pollen grains (e.g. dandelion) Wind pollinated species pollen is light, small and smooth (e.g. corn) ZO3 50 Bee Pollination (Melittophily) Bees: Have good eyesight (including UV) & good sense of smell Are intelligent & can count Only females have leg hairs for ZO3 50 Bee Pollination (Melittophily) Bees: Are diurnal Are agile Waggle dance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7i jI-g4jHg ZO3 50 Bee Society Honeybees: Eusocial (live in groups with multiple generations) & live in hives Introduced Bumblebees: Primitive eusociality Live in small groups and have diverse nest sites Native bees: Mainly solitary ZO3 50 Nativ e Bees The diversity and abundance of wild insect pollinators have declined in many agricultural landscapes Study found universally positive associations of fruit set with flower visitation by wild insects in 41 crop systems worldwide In contrast, fruit set increased significantly with flower visitation by honey bees in only 14% of the systems surveyed ZO3 50 Nativ e Bees Overall, wild insects pollinated crops more effectively an increase in wild insect visitation enhanced fruit set by twice as much as an equivalent increase in honey bee visitation Visitation by wild insects and honey bees promoted fruit set independently, so pollination by managed honey bees supplemented, rather than substituted for, pollination by wild insects Our results suggest that new practices for ZO3 50 Buzz 20,000 plants offer pollen as food, but Pollination keep it stashed away in special tubes E.g. tomato, potato, & cranberries Bumble bees, native bees and other insects can grab the tube with their mandibles (the mouth parts) and legs Vibrate wings at 100x/sec Pollen grains shake out of the anther and fall onto the bee ZO3 50 Buzz The force of buzzing can be 30x Pollination that of gravity! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p06kmfO RQls ZO350 Bee Colorful flowers (not usually red) Flowers Have a landing platform Nectar guides enhance pollination (may be visible in UV only) Mildly fragrant ZO3 50 Bee Crops Grown in Canada: Canola, alfalfa, strawberries, blueberries, pumpkin, tomatoes, onions, cranberries, sunflowers and red clover All these plants have flowers, grass crops are most likely going to be pollinated with wind Familiar imports: Coffee, mango and almonds. ZO3 50 Insect https://e360.yale.edu/features/insect_nu Declines Online mbers_declining_why_it_matters Reading MIGHT BE ON FINAL Key findings Insect population has declined 45% in invertebrates world wide in 40 years Pesticides, habitat loss, deforestation, and monocultures (biological deserts) contributing to the declined A multicity of factors that are causing the decline Colony collapse disorder With losing the pollinators the birds are declining too  negative effects insectivorous birds, pollinating food crops, less pollination in the wildflowers that have trouble pollinating without the pollinators. ZO3 50 Insect Declines cite many factors: Scientists the ubiquitous use of pesticides, the spread of monoculture crops such as corn and soybeans, urbanization, and habitat destruction ZO3 50 Silent Spring by Rachel Carson ZO3 50 Precautionary Encourages taking preventative action Principle in the face of uncertainty to avoid potential harm This principle has been codified in several international treaties to which Canada is a signatory. Domestic law makes reference to this principle but implementation remains limited. ZO3 50 Precautionary Principle Shifts the burden of responsibility to producers or manufacturers of products to demonstrate safety prior to potential exposure or to use the least harmful chemicals available KNOW THE CENTRAL COMPONENTS ZO3 50 Pollinator The loss and decline of Declines pollinators is a significant threat to: Biodiversity Global food webs Human food supply Human health & economics ZO3 50 Causes of Pollinator Declines 1. Habitat loss & fragmentation Reduction in food sources (agricultural monocultures = nutrient deficiencies) Loss of mating/nesting/roosting & migration sites 2. Overworking honey bees constantly moving/working 3. Pollution Diesel pollution interferes with bees finding flowers Pesticides ZO3 50 Causes of Pollinator Declines 4. Inbreeding of honeybees Lack of genetic diversity 5. Diseases – Nosema apis, a single-celled protozoan that affects the bees' digestive systems 6. Parasites – Varroa mites – an external parasite that causes larvae deformations and can spread a condition called Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus (IAPV) ZO3 50 7. Insecticides Are widespread in pollen samples ZO350 Direct mortality from 70% of dead bees from 2012 die-off exposure in ON- QB had Neonicotinoid residue present The dust comes off during seeding ZO3 50 The large-scale field study found that overall, exposure to neonicotinoids harms bee populations. In particular, the pesticides reduce honeybees’ ability to survive their winter hibernation, say researchers. “We’re showing significant negative effects at critical life-cycle stages, which is a cause for concern,” says ZO3 50 Sub-lethal Exposure can cause immunity effects problems in honeybees, leading to an increased risk of dying from common viral infections (deformed wing virus) http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2013/10/18/1314923 110 ZO3 50 Sub-lethal While fungicides are typically seen as effects fairly safe for honey bees, we found an increased probability of Nosema infection in bees that consumed pollen with a higher fungicide load. http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0 070182 ZO3 50 Climate Change Some species of pollinators have co- evolved with one species of plant, and these two species match life-cycles to coincide for pollination/feeding E.g. insects maturing from larva to adult precisely when nectar flows begin We don’t know what environmental and genetic cues plants and pollinators use to manage this synchrony... ZO350 Competition from honey Honeybees may reduce the bees availability of pollen and nectar for native pollinators, or aggressively exclude other pollinators Proximity to higher densities of honeybees reduced native bumblebee reproductive success and foraging ZO3 50 Synergies, Additive and Multiplicative effects Causes of decline in pollinators? Pesticides ( Habitat loss Mits (mits climb off the adults and feed on the larva)/ nosemas apis (starves them to death) Genetic wise- if relatives procreate the wings get messed and they cant fly Air pollution- desil ZO3 50 Pollinator Conservation Actions ZO3 50 Pollinator Conservation Actions 1. Minimize pesticide use Maintain pollinator-friendly lawns and gardens naturally Cosmetic lawn chemicals banned in ON & QB Accept some damage to flowers as a normal part of a flower garden ZO3 50 Mitigation: 1. Let nearby beekeepers know when they are planting so the beekeepers can move hives if necessary. 2. Consider planting in the early morning or the evening when bees are less active. 3. Consider using seeds that aren't treated with pesticides in fields at a lower risk of attack by pests. ZO3 50 2. Maintain cover and forage Protect and create uncultivated areas areas Many native bees are ground nesters or nest in dead wood (standing dead trees and DWM) ZO350 Use a variety of nectar and pollen producing plants that bloom throughout the year Includes trees & shrubs like willow, maple, cherry, etc. Don’t mow (e.g. leave clover – fixes N) ZO3 50 4. Maintain and create nesting areas Protect and create uncultivated areas Provide a clean source of water and mud Provide nesting areas (bee condos) ZO350 Native Pollinators The backyard bees of North America poster displays over 130 different bee species (which is only 3% of all bee species in North America). Each is pictured at 5x their actual size and they are grouped together roughly by family (except for the cuckoo bees). All bees are ZO3 50 Native Bee Nests Alkali bees – cells branching from tunnels in the soil Carpenter bees – pollen and eggs deposited in holes bored into wood ZO3 50 Native Bee Habitat Enhancements Plant a variety of local native perennials that vary in colour, shape and blooming season Provide a clean source of water, mud and other nesting sites Avoid pesticides or insecticides ZO3 50 3. Monitor and report pollinator sightings http://www.xerces.org/community-science https://www.bumblebeewatch.org/ ZO3 50 Pollinator http://www.pollinationcanada.ca/ Conservation ZO3 50 Pollinator Conservation https://wildlifepreservation.ca/native-pollinator-initiative/ ZO3 50 Pollinator Conservation https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2014/aa c-aafc/A59-12-2014-eng.pdf Review Questions What are the different types of native pollinators?- honeybees, bumblebees, native bees What are different types of native bees? What are four different ways to conserve pollinators? –minimize pesticide use, maintain cover and forage areas, maintain and create nesting areas, minigation What is buzz pollination? What are the seven main causes of pollinator declines? –pesticides, habitat loss, pollution, overworking, inbreeding, disease Who is Rachel Carson and what important contribution did she have? How did she change public perception and environmental policies? – She is the author of the novel Silent spring, she wrote the book bc one spring she noticed how quite it was and did research to find it was pesticides and she got people to gain knowledge of pesticides and the damage of it. What is the precautionary principle? Slide 18 THINGS I SHOULD KNOW FOR FINAL AND QUIZ ON 7TH