Search the EPA Research Database

Project title

Understanding and linking the fundamental ecological requirements of Ireland�s solitary bees for their long-term conservation and the creation of evidence-based policy.

Primary Funding Agency

Irish Research Council

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)

Lead Applicant

n/a

Project Abstract

In the UK, ground nesting solitary bees account for the majority of bee species, but have received little attention in the academic literature. This is particularly true of their nesting ecologies, for which very few empirical data exist. This research gap is largely a result of the logistical barriers and lack of standardised methodologies associated with this type of analysis. This PhD used three methodological approaches to overcome these obstacles, investigate the efficacy of the methods and shed light on the ecological requirements of soil-nesting solitary bees. The methods included in this research were a web-based citizen science project, which was linked with a traditional, field-based observational study of nest sites and a manipulative field experiment, which was carried out independently. All three of these methods were found to provide important insights into solitary bee nesting ecology and the field study benefitted significantly from being linked with the citizen science project, which provided accurate locations of active nesting sites. The citizen science data demonstrated the capacity of Andrena fulva, Andrena cineraria, Halictus rubicundus and Colletes hederae to nest in a diverse range of environmental conditions, however the field-based study indicated that high-density nesting occurs within a narrower range of environmental variables. Significant interspecific preferences were also identified indicating the need for further study of individual species. The field experiment found that the creation of bare ground and the maintenance of vegetation at a low level increase the nesting density of both solitary bee and wasp species at a previously uninhabited site. Taken together, this research has demonstrated the efficacy of these approaches, particularly when they are tailored for the collection of nesting data and elucidated some of the important environmental considerations for the protection and provision of suitable solitary bee nesting sites.

Grant Approved

�91,910.00

Research Hub

n/a

Research Theme

Climate Solutions, Transition Management and Opportunities

Start Date

01/10/2019

Initial Projected Completion Date

30/09/2021