Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Nicholas E. Tew, Katherine C. R. Baldock, Ian P. Vaughan, Stephanie Bird, Jane Memmott
Summary: Residential gardens serve as important habitats for insect pollinators, but individual gardening practices impact their floral composition. A study in Bristol, UK, surveyed 59 gardens and found variations in the quantity of nectar sugar supplied by each garden, with higher production in affluent neighborhoods and a peak supply in July. The turnover in species composition among gardens provides a relatively stable and continuous nectar supply for insect pollinators in urban landscapes.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
L. B. Valadao-Mendes, I Rocha, D. A. L. Meireles, F. B. Leite, M. Sazima, P. K. Maruyama, V. L. G. Brito
Summary: The study found that stamen dimorphic plant species typically have larger flowers and less variable style shapes, as well as a higher richness of visiting bees. This suggests that stamen dimorphism is associated with ecological generalization in plant-pollinator interactions at the community scale.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Muzafar Hussain Sirohi, Janet Jackson, Jeff Ollerton
Summary: Biodiversity decline is a major concern due to human activities, but urban settings can provide diverse microclimates that support the conservation of pollinators like solitary and primitively eusocial bees. This study used a network approach to analyze the interactions between these bees and the plants they forage on. The results showed that urban habitats had more frequent interactions between generalist and specialist species compared to nature areas. The study suggests that careful management of common urban vegetation can benefit urban wild pollinators.
Article
Biology
Claudemir Antonio Garcia Fioratti, Evaristo Alexandre Falcao, Rosicleia Matias da Silva, Maria do Carmo Vieira, Anderson Rodrigues Lima Caires, Rosilda Mara Mussury
Summary: A study on Tropaeolum majus L. reveals that orange and yellow flowers attract more bees compared to flowers of other colors, possibly due to the presence of fluorescent compounds. Red flowers, on the other hand, are less attractive to bees. This research highlights the interaction between bees and T. majus flowers, providing insights for pollinator conservation efforts.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Maj Rundlof, Clara Stuligross, Arvid Lindh, Rosemary L. Malfi, Katherine Burns, John M. Mola, Staci Cibotti, Neal M. Williams
Summary: Sustainable agriculture relies on pollinators, but pesticide exposure and loss of flower resources have led to declining diversity and abundance of bee taxa. Flower plantings offer a potential solution by providing diverse food resources and reducing pesticide exposure effects on bee populations. Further research is needed to determine the balance between forage benefits and added pesticide risk in different contexts.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
S. J. Castro, A. B. Castro, N. M. Araujo, V. H. R. Abreu, M. L. Oliveira, R. F. Fadini
Summary: This study reveals the floral biology and visitors of Psittacanthus eucalyptifolius in an Amazonian savanna, Brazil, and compares its reproductive performance with other Psittacanthus species. The results indicate that bees can be as effective as birds in pollinating this species.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Johann Herrmann, Sascha Buchholz, Panagiotis Theodorou
Summary: Insect-provided pollination services are at risk due to declines in insect pollinator populations caused by urbanisation. This study examines the effects of local habitat quality, degree of urbanisation, and 3D connectivity on flower visitors and plant-flower visitor networks in urban dry grasslands. The results show that urbanisation and local habitat quality influence flower and pollinator communities. Urbanisation increases flowering plant abundance but decreases bee and butterfly species richness. Ground nesting resource availability and local vegetation structure boost hoverfly and butterfly visitation rates.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Katherine Y. Barragan-Fonseca, Quint Rusman, Daan Mertens, Berhane T. Weldegergis, Joseph Peller, Gerrit Polder, Joop J. A. van Loon, Marcel Dicke
Summary: Soil composition and herbivory can affect plant traits, including flower traits, potentially influencing plant-pollinator interactions. We investigated the effects of insect exuviae as soil amendment and aboveground insect herbivory on Brassica nigra plants. Our findings showed that soil amendment increased flower quantity and volatile organic compound (VOC) emission, while herbivory reduced petal area and VOC emission. Furthermore, soil amendment and herbivory interacted in their effect on petal reflectance spectrum and VOC emission.
PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ulrich Neumueller, Hannah Burger, Hans Richard Schwenninger, Sebastian Hopfenmueller, Sabrina Krausch, Karin Weiss, Manfred Ayasse
Summary: This study found that flower plantings contribute significantly to attracting bees, especially endangered species, through high plant richness and continuous blooming throughout the season. Diverse and constant blooming is crucial for promoting bee richness and abundance in flower plantings. Adjusting seed mixtures according to geographical region is recommended to ensure sufficient beta diversity over a large spatial scale.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Gabriela Quinlan, Meghan Milbrath, Clint Otto, Autumn Smart, Deborah Iwanowicz, Robert Scott Cornman, Rufus Isaacs
Summary: The study reveals temporal variation in protein content of pollen collected by honey bees, with differences among years. Spatially, pollen protein content remains consistent, with no correlation with broad-scale land use categories. Flowering habitats with diverse plant species can support honey bee foraging, influencing pollen collection decisions throughout the season.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Rebecca J. Hoefer, Tina Lindner, Manfred Ayasse, Jonas Kuppler
Summary: Water deficit can lead to changes in floral traits and affect flower-visitor interactions and plant fitness. The direct effect of water stress on flower production and seed set is stronger than the indirect effect through altered floral traits and pollinator visits. Plants are able to compensate for water stress and maintain floral trait expression to retain pollinator attraction.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Ciaran Harris, Rosy Christopher, Seshi Humphrey-Ackumey, Rachel Mercer, Phoebe Ney, Francis L. W. Ratnieks
Summary: White clover is an important agricultural legume that helps improve soil fertility and reduce the need for artificial fertilizers. It also acts as a valuable source of pollen and nectar for pollinators, which can help mitigate the decline in pollinator populations.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Katarzyna Roguz, Laurence Hill, Agata Roguz, Marcin Zych
Summary: This study explores the evolution of flower traits in Fritillaria species in the context of pollinator shift, revealing new traits in bird-pollinated species without excluding insect pollinators, and documenting potential reversals from bird to insect pollination. The analysis provides a foundation for future research on genetic and physiological mechanisms controlling flower traits in the genus Fritillaria.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Alexandra N. Harmon-Threatt, Nicholas L. Anderson
Summary: The persistence of organisms in fragmented landscapes relies on their ability to move between habitat patches. In this study, the effects of species, patch, and matrix variables on bee movement between patches were investigated. Larger bees and shorter distances between patches were found to promote movement, while the availability of resources in the matrix influenced movement patterns.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Clara Stuligross, Grace G. Melone, Li Wang, Neal M. Williams
Summary: Contemporary landscapes pose challenges for bees and beneficial insects, with pesticides and loss of food resources playing a significant role in impairing bee fitness. This study investigates how exposure to insecticides and limited floral resources affect foraging and nesting behavior of the blue orchard bee. The results show that both stressors influence behavior, but in different ways, with limited food resources leading to fewer but longer foraging trips and more misidentified nests, while insecticide exposure reduces foraging activity.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Monika Egerer, Brenda Lin, Jonathan Kingsley, Pauline Marsh, Lucy Diekmann, Alessandro Ossola
Summary: During the COVID-19 pandemic, gardening has been shown to be overwhelmingly important for nature connection, stress release, outdoor physical activity, and food provision. The significance of food provision and economic security is particularly highlighted for individuals facing greater hardships. Gardening can serve as a public health strategy to enhance societal resilience.
URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Birgit Seitz, Sascha Buchholz, Ingo Kowarik, Johann Herrmann, Leonie Neuerburg, Julian Wendler, Leonie Winker, Monika Egerer
Summary: Community gardens are important habitats for plant diversity regardless of urbanization level, and they play a crucial role in urban food provision. Reducing imperviousness at the garden scale can create more habitats for plants. Community gardens serve as unique urban ecosystems where cultivated and wild plants can coexist.
Article
Microbiology
Marshall S. McMunn, Asher Hudson, Ash T. Zemenick, Monika Egerer, Lucas Bennett, Stacy M. Philpott, Rachel L. Vannette
Summary: This study reveals that elevated temperatures have an impact on the abundance and composition of ant-associated bacteria, and seasonal temperature and local temperature differences play a role in shaping microbiomes within the ant population.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Theresa W. Ong, Brenda B. Lin, Azucena Lucatero, Hamutahl Cohen, Peter Bichier, Monika H. Egerer, Alana Danieu, Shalene Jha, Stacy M. Philpott, Heidi Liere
Summary: Rare species in urban areas play a crucial role in increasing functional diversity and promoting biodiversity conservation. A study found a significant number of rare plants, birds, and bees in urban gardens. Social and biophysical factors, such as gender, age, and proximity to garden sites, influence the presence and richness of rare species. The study also noted positive correlations between the number of rare plants and bee species, and between bee and bird species.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Monika Egerer
Summary: The diversity and distribution of wild bees are undergoing significant changes due to habitat fragmentation, agricultural intensification and climate change. Urban gardens are proposed as "island" habitats for bees, providing floral and nesting resources. However, their role in species diversity and distribution remains unclear. This paper reports the discovery of a previously undocumented bee species in Berlin, Germany, and explores the potential of urban gardens in biodiversity change.
RENEWABLE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
David Koranyi, Monika Egerer, Adrien Rusch, Borbala Szabo, Peter Batary
Summary: Urbanization leads to outbreaks of sap-feeding insects, declining numbers of predators with low dispersal abilities, and weakened overall biological pest control by arthropods. A well-connected network of structurally diverse and rich green spaces is needed to promote natural plant protection in urban landscapes.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jonathan Kingsley, Lucy Diekmann, Monika H. Egerer, Brenda B. Lin, Alessandro Ossola, Pauline Marsh
Summary: Gardening during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic was found to create a safe and positive space for social connection, learning, and creativity, leading to enhanced wellbeing. However, barriers to gardening were also identified.
Article
Ecology
Julia Felderhoff, Anika K. K. Gathof, Sascha Buchholz, Monika Egerer
Summary: Urban gardens can support diverse bee communities by providing resources in resource poor environments. Factors such as plant diversity and nesting resources in gardens, as well as landscape imperviousness and bare ground surrounding gardens, have been found to influence the diversity and traits of wild bee communities. Implementing nesting resources in garden management can promote more pollinator-friendly habitats for diverse bee communities in cities.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Monika Egerer, Stacy M. Philpott
Summary: Agroecosystem management can be influenced by people's aesthetic preferences, which may have both positive and negative effects on beneficial biodiversity and ecosystem function. This study investigated the influence of aesthetic preferences for 'tidy' versus 'messy' gardens on insect pests, natural enemies, and pest control services in urban community gardens. The findings showed that aesthetic preferences did not significantly affect the abundance of natural enemies or herbivores, but did alter the composition of natural enemy communities. The study suggests that allowing some 'messiness' in urban gardens may promote specific natural enemy assemblages and have no negative impact on pest control services.
Article
Ecology
Shalene Jha, Monika Egerer, Peter Bichier, Hamutahl Cohen, Heidi Liere, Brenda Lin, Azucena Lucatero, Stacy M. Philpott
Summary: Ecosystem services (ESs) are vital for human well-being, especially in urban areas where a majority of the global population will reside in the near future. This study analyzed data from a network of urban community gardens over five years to identify the factors that influence biodiversity and ES trade-offs and synergies. The findings challenge previous assumptions that food production is incompatible with biodiversity, revealing multiple synergies and minimal trade-offs. Additionally, the study shows that the combination of natural landscape cover and local management can influence services provided by mobile animals, such as pest control and pollination. By quantifying the factors that support a diverse range of ES, the study emphasizes the critical role of garden management and urban planning in optimizing biodiversity and human well-being.
Review
Plant Sciences
Mysha Clarke, Stephanie Cadaval, Charles Wallace, Elsa Anderson, Monika Egerer, Lillian Dinkins, Ricardo Platero
Summary: Urban greenspaces, such as parks, forests, and gardens, play a significant role in enhancing human wellbeing, particularly in terms of social cohesion. This paper reviews the scholarly literature on social cohesion, its definition, measurement, and factors that either hinder or enhance it in urban greenspaces. The study found that reducing crime, improving maintenance, and providing inclusive social gathering spaces were the most impactful ways to enhance social cohesion. Overall, more research is needed to understand social cohesion and urban greenspaces in developing countries, from the perspectives of diverse urban residents who use these spaces.
URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING
(2023)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Susanne Raum, C. Matilda Collins, Julie Urquhart, Clive Potter, Stephan Pauleit, Monika Egerer
Summary: This article systematically reviews and synthesizes empirical evidence from around the world on the impacts of urban tree insect pests and pathogens on urban environments and human well-being. The study identifies environmental, social, and economic impacts and highlights knowledge gaps in certain areas. The article emphasizes the need for policy-making, management strategies, and further research to address the growing threats.
Review
Agronomy
Francisco Tomatis, Monika Egerer, Adriana Correa-Guimaraes, Luis Manuel Navas-Gracia
Summary: Climate change has impacts on urban gardens, affecting their ecological, social, and technological aspects. The gardens are threatened by water scarcity and other factors, but strategies such as selecting drought-resilient plants are being employed. Through a systematic review of literature published from 2000 to 2022, it is found that academic publications on the topic have increased, with universities from the US and Germany being the main contributors. Suggestions for building the adaptation capacity of urban gardens include rainwater collection and changes in plant selection and planting times. Community and allotment gardens play a beneficial role in city adaptation, mitigation, and resilience, offering various socio-environmental benefits for urban climate planning.