Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Timothy Weekers, Leon Marshall, Nicolas Leclercq, Thomas James Wood, Diego Cejas, Bianca Drepper, Louise Hutchinson, Denis Michez, Jean-Marc Molenberg, Guy Smagghe, Peter Vandamme, Nicolas J. Vereecken
Summary: The study found that the dominance of honey bees is significantly and negatively associated with wild bee diversity, regardless of local management practices. Semi-natural habitats have a positive impact on functional diversity of wild bees, while urbanization and crop cover around orchards have no effect on diversity metrics. In locations with high honey bee dominance, a greater number of bee species exhibit less common combinations of functional traits, especially larger bee species with longer tongues.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biology
Jay M. Iwasaki, Katja Hogendoorn
Summary: Pollinators play a crucial role in ecosystem function worldwide, and concerns over their declining populations have led to efforts to protect them. However, it is important to focus conservation efforts on species truly at risk, rather than assuming all crop-pollinating species are under threat. The honey bee is widely recognized for its role in agricultural pollination, but may not be the best representative for pollinator conservation efforts outside of its native range.
CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
H. Blaydes, E. Gardner, J. D. Whyatt, S. G. Potts, A. Armstrong
Summary: Solar parks have the potential to provide a suitable habitat for pollinators, particularly for bumble bees. Proper management and design decisions of solar parks can significantly increase bumble bee density and benefit crop pollination.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zuzanna M. Filipiak, Bozena Denisow, Ernest Stawiarz, Michal Filipiak
Summary: We investigated the potential mechanism underlying the link between floral diversity/composition and wild bee performance, and found that the nutritional quality of bee larval food is indirectly connected to the species diversity and directly driven by the pollen species composition. Suboptimal concentrations of certain nutrients in pollen produced by specific plant species resulted in reduced bee fitness, but the negative effects were alleviated when scarce nutrients were added to these pollen diets.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rodney T. Richardson, Ida M. Conflitti, Renata S. Labuschagne, Shelley E. Hoover, Rob W. Currie, Pierre Giovenazzo, M. Marta Guarna, Stephen F. Pernal, Leonard J. Foster, Amro Zayed
Summary: Urbanization and agricultural intensification have negative effects on honey bee health and overwintering survival. Landscape composition, particularly the availability of herbaceous land cover, plays a significant role in improving colony health. Our research emphasizes the need for investigating the impact of land use changes on resource competition between pollinator species.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Review
Ecology
Phuong N. Nguyen, Sandra M. Rehan
Summary: Anthropogenic activities and increased land use directly and indirectly affect pollinators by altering habitats, floral availability, and microbial composition. Bees rely on their microbiota for physiological functions and immunity, making their health vulnerable to altered environments. This review examines the impact of sociality, geographic distribution, temperature, precipitation, floral resources, agriculture, and urbanization on bee microbiota, highlighting the role of microbiota in plant-pollinator relationships and urban ecology. Understanding bee microbiota provides opportunities for sustainable land use restoration and wildlife conservation.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Kit S. Prendergast, Sean Tomlinson, Kingsley W. Dixon, Philip W. Bateman, Myles H. M. Menz
Summary: Urbanization has a negative impact on native bee abundance and diversity, while bushland remnants play a crucial role in conserving native bee populations.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Dominik Ganser, Matthias Albrecht, Eva Knop
Summary: Our study demonstrates that diverse wildflower strips can enhance the reproductive success of multiple solitary wild bee species, mitigating negative impacts of agricultural intensification by providing suitable floral resources and reducing foraging times. Smaller bee species benefit more from wildflower plantings compared to larger bee species.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biology
Jane C. Stout, Lynn V. Dicks
Summary: Despite increased interest and efforts in pollinator conservation, the health of pollinators continues to decline. To effectively address this, further scientific understanding is needed in six key areas, and the use of IPBES conceptual framework can help identify critical gaps in both understanding and action. Recognizing and addressing indirect drivers of decline, such as global trade and demography, are crucial for successful pollinator conservation.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Sheila R. Colla
Summary: Concerns about declining bee populations globally have become a major environmental issue, but the phenomenon of "bee washing" may have multiple negative consequences, such as misinformation and resource misallocation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Saul A. Cunningham, Mason J. Crane, Maldwyn J. Evans, Kassel L. Hingee, David B. Lindenmayer
Summary: Feral Apis mellifera colonies have significant ecological impacts as pollinators and competitors for resources. We found a high density of 69 colonies per km(2) in fragmented Eucalyptus woodlands in Australia. This density is likely to affect pollination and competition with other flower visitors.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ge Zhang, Caroline J. J. Murray, Ashley L. L. St. Clair, Randall P. P. Cass, Adam G. G. Dolezal, Lisa A. A. Schulte, Amy L. L. Toth, Matthew E. E. O'Neal
Summary: Integrating conservation with agriculture by adding diverse prairie strips into annual croplands can reduce soil and nutrient loss and support diverse communities of birds, insects, and pollinators. A study was conducted on commercial farms to determine if prairie strips provide floral resources to honey bees and improve their health and productivity. The results showed that colonies located in fields with prairie strips had more diverse flowering plants, collected more pollen, had larger populations, higher overwinter survival rates, and produced more honey compared to colonies in control fields.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Sandara N. R. Brasil, Anthony C. Ayers, Sandra M. Rehan
Summary: Anthropogenic changes, especially increasing urbanisation, greatly impact the world's biodiversity, decreasing suitable habitats for many wild species including bees. This study found that medium-urbanised sites are more suitable for the sweat bee Agapostemon virescens in terms of abundance, body size, and foraging efforts. It also revealed a female-biased sex ratio in highly urbanised sites and a male-biased sex ratio in low urbanisation sites. Maintaining different levels of urbanisation and heterogeneous landscapes within cities could benefit wild bee sustainability.
ECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Clara Stuligross, Neal M. Williams
Summary: Pesticides have long-lasting effects on bee population growth, with even a single exposure reducing vital rates and growth for multiple generations. Delayed carryover effects of past exposure exacerbate these negative impacts on population persistence.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Jessie Lanterman Novotny, Andrew Lybbert, Paige Reeher, Randall J. Mitchell, Karen Goodell
Summary: Regionally specific flower preference data are needed to optimize conservation habitat plantings for at-risk pollinators such as bumble bees. Current tools for selecting flowers for plantings rely on raw bee flower visits, which can be biased toward abundant flowers. To assist in planning habitat enhancements for bumble bees, we quantified genus- and species-level floral preferences using a selection index that accounts for floral availability. Through extensive observation, we found that bumble bees nonrandomly selected certain flowers and their diets and preferences varied across habitats and seasons.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Patricia Barroso, Philip Breslin, Guy McGrath, Jamie M. Madden, Jamie A. Tratalos, Simon J. More, Eoin Ryan, Andrew W. Byrne, Damien Barrett
Summary: This study investigates the association between road construction and the risk of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in cattle herds. The findings suggest that herds located at a distance of more than 3 km from the roadworks have a reduced risk of bTB breakdown compared to those situated within 1 km of the roadworks. Other factors such as herd size, inward animal movements, and herd type were also found to be associated with bTB risk.
PREVENTIVE VETERINARY MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
AnneMarie Clarke, Andrew W. Byrne, James Maher, Eoin Ryan, Fidelma Farrell, Catherine McSweeney, Damien Barrett
Summary: Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) remains a concern in many countries. This study focused on the Burren region in Ireland, a high-incidence area for bTB, to gain insights into farming practices and bTB control. The survey revealed a willingness among local farmers to engage on the issue. The analysis identified themes such as wildlife management, testing quality, and pessimism around eradication. Statistical models showed that increasing bTB risk was associated with herd size and limited access to badger setts. The results of the study will inform local bTB management plans and stakeholder engagement.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Damien Barrett, AnneMarie Clarke, Kate O'Keeffe, Padraig Kellegher, John Comerford, Elizabeth Lane, Andrew W. Byrne
Summary: This study examined the seroprevalence of BVDV exposure in Ireland over a four-year period, identifying a declining trend in seroprevalence and varying risks at county- and herd-levels. The presence of a persistently infected (PI) animal in the herd of birth, herd status, and herd size were identified as key factors associated with BVDV seropositivity in study cattle.
BMC VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Andrew W. Byrne, Ferdia Marnell, Damien Barrett, Neil Reid, Robert E. B. Hanna, Maire C. McElroy, Micheal Casey
Summary: Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2) is a pathogenic virus that emerged in 2010 and is now globally distributed. It has caused population declines and high mortality in various lagomorph species, including the Irish hare. Outbreaks of RHDV2 have been confirmed in domestic and wild rabbits in Ireland, and there is a need for further research on the epidemiology and population impacts.
Article
Microbiology
Georgina Milne, Jordon Graham, John McGrath, Raymond Kirke, Wilma McMaster, Andrew William Byrne
Summary: Farm fragmentation and contiguous spread are important factors contributing to bovine tuberculosis in Northern Ireland.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Kilian J. Murphy, Virginia Morera-Pujol, Eoin Ryan, Andrew W. Byrne, Philip Breslin, Simone Ciuti
Summary: Human modification of landscapes and associated disturbances may increase the risk of zoonotic diseases. This study found a significant link between mechanised forestry operations and relative bovine tuberculosis (bTB) risk in cattle farms, with the relationship being dynamic in time and space. These findings have implications for policy-making and surveillance of wildlife hosts and bTB risk.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Andrew W. Byrne, Damien Barrett, Philip Breslin, James O'Keeffe, Kilian J. Murphy, Kimberly Conteddu, Virginia Morera-Pujol, Eoin Ryan, Simone Ciuti
Summary: Disturbance ecology studies the impact of processes that disrupt the structure and dynamics of an ecosystem on wildlife and pathogen hosts. This study found an association between forest clearfelling and bovine tuberculosis risk.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rischi Robinson Male Here, Eoin Ryan, Philip Breslin, Klaas Frankena, Andrew William Byrne
Summary: The study aimed to quantify the effectiveness of Irish slaughterhouses or factories in detecting factory lesions and confirming them as bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in slaughtered cattle. The results showed that age, sex, breed, animal movement, herd type, herd size, and bTB history were associated with the risk of lesion submission and confirmation.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Andrew W. Byrne, Damien Barrett, Philip Breslin, Eoin Ryan
Summary: Detailed analysis of surveillance data is required to inform evidence-based policy for long-term eradication campaigns of endemic pathogens. This study investigated the comparative risk of animals failing a single intradermal comparative tuberculin test (SICTT) based on their previous tuberculin test result. The results provide further evidence to inform risk-based management policies for bovine tuberculosis (TB).
PREVENTIVE VETERINARY MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Assel Akhmetova, Jimena Guerrero, Paul McAdam, Liliana C. M. Salvador, Joseph Crispell, John Lavery, Eleanor Presho, Rowland R. Kao, Roman Biek, Fraser Menzies, Nigel Trimble, Roland Harwood, P. Theo Pepler, Katarina Oravcova, Jordon Graham, Robin Skuce, Louis du Plessis, Suzan Thompson, Lorraine Wright, Andrew W. Byrne, Adrian R. Allen
Summary: Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a costly, complex, multi-host, endemic disease, and understanding transmission dynamics is crucial for eradication efforts. In this study, whole-genome sequencing of Mycobacterium bovis isolates from badgers and cattle in Northern Ireland provided insights into disease transmission dynamics. The results suggest that cattle are driving the local epidemic, with transmission from cattle to badgers being more common than the other way around. The role of badgers in M. bovis transmission may vary depending on the context and is not a major factor in this study site.
MICROBIAL GENOMICS
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Andrew W. Byrne, Stephanie Ronan, Rob Doyle, Martin Blake, Eoin Ryan
Summary: Dairy systems require annual calving for efficient milk production. Male offspring from dairy breeds in high milk production systems tend to have poor beef production traits and low economic value. Factors influencing early calf slaughtering have been rarely studied. This study analyzed national data on calf slaughter from 2018 to 2022 in Ireland. The dataset included 125,260 early slaughtered calves (1.09% of total births) from 1,364 birth herds. The study provides evidence for targeted interventions to end routine early calf slaughter.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
P. I. H. Bisschop, K. Frankena, G. M. Milne, T. Ford, L. McCallan, F. J. Young, A. W. Byrne
Summary: The ambient temperature on the day of bleeding can affect the Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) result for bovine tuberculosis (bTB). Extreme temperatures lead to lower IFN-gamma levels, while moderate temperatures increase the probability of a positive IGRA result. Controlling the temperature of samples from bleeding to the laboratory is important to mitigate confounding factors.
VETERINARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
You Chang, Nienke Hartemink, Andrew W. Byrne, Eamonn Gormley, Guy McGrath, Jamie A. Tratalos, Philip Breslin, Simon J. More, Mart C. M. de Jong
Summary: This study aims to better understand the transmission of bTB between cattle and badgers through the environment in a spatially explicit context and identify high-risk areas. By developing an environmental transmission model and estimating transmission rate parameters using infection data from a badger vaccination trial, the study finds that the environment plays an important role in bTB transmission, with a half-life of M. bovis in the environment of around 177 days. The study also calculates the basic reproduction ratio within a herd and generates a map of high-risk areas.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Adrian Allen, Georgina Milne, Carl McCormick, Shane Collins, Maria O'Hagan, Robin Skuce, Nigel Trimble, Roland Harwood, Fraser Menzies, Andrew W. Byrne
Summary: Culling the European badger in Great Britain and Ireland to reduce bovine tuberculosis has been controversial. Previous analyses suggested that even low-level selective culling could disrupt social structure and increase disease dissemination. A new study showed that selective culling did not lead to increased ranging of badgers, but it did result in localized changes in social group relatedness. This research provides evidence for policy makers on badger control options.
ECOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS AND EVIDENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Studies
Georgina Milne, Andrew William Byrne, Emma Campbell, Jordon Graham, John McGrath, Raymond Kirke, Wilma McMaster, Jesko Zimmermann, Adewale Henry Adenuga
Summary: Farmland fragmentation is a significant issue in cattle farms in Northern Ireland, especially in dairy farms. The high level of fragmentation may be attributed to the recent expansion of dairy farms through land acquisition. This fragmentation has important implications for agricultural productivity and epidemiology, as it can both facilitate the spread of diseases and hinder productivity due to diseconomies of scale.
