FORT Science in Action, Part 21: Pollinator research in support of agricultural economies and food security
Domesticated and native bees provide economic services valued in excess of $10 billion in the U.S. annually. They are also irreplaceable for many crops and thus central to our agricultural heritage. FORT researchers work closely with partners nationwide to improve pollinator health and conservation, ensuring future economic and food security.
Novel genetic approaches to pollinator health
Working with partner agencies, FORT researchers have been developing novel genetic and bioinformatic approaches to understanding bee nutrition and disease, and how to manage landscapes to support pollinator health in conjunction with other uses. These methods can be rapidly tailored to specific needs as they arise. This work has supported land-use programs by informing seed mixes that efficiently support pollinators, has improved our ability to monitor disease spread between honey bees and native bees, and is helping to tailor management practice for the endangered rusty-patched bumblebee in different geographic regions with the eventual goals of recovery and de-listing.
FORT’s Molecular Ecology Lab has also implemented innovative genetic methods for identifying plant resources upon which pollinators depend and for detecting transmission patterns of bee viruses. These methods are often more powerful, faster, and less expensive for routine use than traditional approaches.
Grassland conservation and agricultural resilience in the Great Plains
Over the past decade, USGS has conducted sampling of grasslands enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program in the Northern and Southern Plains. Key data from these studies have yielded actionable insights for optimized seed mixtures for restoration, native pollinator diversity related to floral diversity, and how vegetation responds to multi-year haying and grazing during drought. This work supports implementation of Farm Bill conservation provisions and informs USDA program management by providing products that help balance programmatic needs while protecting native vegetation, pollinators, and long-term habitat integrity.
Effective management actions for pollinator conservation
Research is needed to pinpoint why some, but not other, pollinator species have declined, to assess what the greatest threats are to pollinators, and to determine what conservation actions are most helpful for pollinators. FORT researchers work with partners on multiple studies to inform these research areas and improve efficiency of pollinator conservation. These include development of accurate monitoring protocols for endangered bees, studies of pesticide exposure and its effects on bee populations, and improvements in measuring the effectiveness of habitat restoration actions on pollinator populations.
More FORT Science in Action
This September, FORT is highlighting how our science projects support sound decision-making. Each day, we will highlight a new project and its applications. To see more, follow the tab below.
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Molecular Ecology Lab (MEL)
Native Pollinators in Agricultural Ecosystems
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Molecular Ecology Lab (MEL)