Can we support healthy wild and managed pollinator populations in intensive agriculture?
Melissodes bee ponders the potential for ag to support her population in a sunflower fields in Yolo Co., CA.
Animal-mediated crop pollination is an essential component of food security; however, both wild and managed pollinator populations in agricultural areas are impacted by stressors such as parasites, pesticides and inadequate nutrition with potential repercussions for agricultural production.
With a grant from the Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research, we are investigating disease dynamics, bee nutrition, and pesticide exposure in mass-flowering crops. The goal of our proposed work is to ensure more targeted and successful restoration efforts and augment pollinator health in agricultural and related landscapes. This work is in collaboration with Profs. Quinn McFrederick and Hollis Woodard, and postdocs Hamutahl Cohen and Gordon Smith.
In addition, with a grant from the USDA NIFA, we are working to understand the incentives and disincentives for growers to implement bee friendly practices such as cover crops, permanent habitat and certifications in almond orchard in CA. This work is led by Jennie Durant.
With a grant from the Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research, we are investigating disease dynamics, bee nutrition, and pesticide exposure in mass-flowering crops. The goal of our proposed work is to ensure more targeted and successful restoration efforts and augment pollinator health in agricultural and related landscapes. This work is in collaboration with Profs. Quinn McFrederick and Hollis Woodard, and postdocs Hamutahl Cohen and Gordon Smith.
In addition, with a grant from the USDA NIFA, we are working to understand the incentives and disincentives for growers to implement bee friendly practices such as cover crops, permanent habitat and certifications in almond orchard in CA. This work is led by Jennie Durant.
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