Presentation cancelled by author
Air Bee n' Bee: a citizen science study of man-made solitary bee hotels as a conservation approach
(Oral and Poster)
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SEE PEER REVIEW
"Air Bee n' Bee" is a citizen-science study exploring the efficacy of man-made bee hotel designs in attracting solitary bee species. The species targeted by the nests are primarily are Osmia (Mason bee) and Megachilae (Leafcutter bee). In the UK, these crucial pollinators are largely unmanaged compared to hive species and require study at a time with rising urbanisation. Man-made nests aggregate natural conditions by emulating the cavities used by solitary bees, with cardboard tubes or drilled holes in wood. Current attempts to offset the impact of urbanisation frequently increase floral availability, with little focus on nesting availability. Moreover, man-made nests offer a practical homegrown conservation approach, however there is a stark dearth of knowledge regarding their functionality. Specifically, participants will be required to create structures by drilling 8-9mm holes in wood blocks and inserting cardboard tubes into milk cartons; to create a selection of prospective nesting material. A direct comparison in this way attempts to further develop these tools for bee science and ensure their effectiveness in bee conservation. Using specifications suggested by MacIvor (2016)[1], this public outreach approach will integrate large scale data collection and have a cumulative impact on biodiversity (Cooper et al, 2007)[2].
Citizen science offers a novel conservation approach to preserving biodiversity and measuring populations nationwide. The combination of established networks of people with a passion for pollinators and the involvement of influential individuals in the field; will spearhead the publicity of the project. The target audience will be expanded with continual use of social media, particularly Twitter, to maintain a flow of engaging scientific material. Whilst informative, the nature of the material will be undemanding in disseminating the outcomes. Twitter allows the user to present concise elevator pitches to a wide range of people (Parsons et al, 2013) [3]. These succinct blocks can reach scholars, politicians, journalists or local community groups, simultaneously.
A platform for longitudinal study of solitary bee species will be created, with a network of citizen scientists gathering useful data. The primary objective being to generate practical conservation solutions that are easily accessible to every individual.
1. MacIvor, J.S. 2016. Cavity-nest boxes for solitary bees: a century of design and research. Apidologie 48:311-327
2. Cooper, C., Dickinson, J., Phillips, T. & Bonney, R. 2007. Citizen Science as a Tool for Conservation in Residential Ecosystems. Ecology and Society 12:11
3. Parsons, E., Shiffman, D., Darling, E., Spillman, N. & Wright, A. 2013. How Twitter Literacy Can Benefit Conservation Scientists. Conservation Biology 28:299-301