scholarly journals Comparison of potential plant-pollinator network structure for 3 seed mixes (lawn, roadside, and pollinator-planting) in western NY, USA

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Briana Burt ◽  
Kristina Chomiak ◽  
Ibrahim Cisse ◽  
Aaron Paratore ◽  
Kaitlin Stack Whitney

AbstractThere is growing concern, locally and globally, about the health of pollinating insects and their decreasing abundance and diversity. While roads may also be contributing to insect pollinator declines (roads can contribute to habitat fragmentation and habitat destruction), roadsides may provide opportunities for pollinating insect conservation. Yet to use these areas to support local pollinating insects, we need to understand which plants will support wild pollinators, especially of conservation concern. To that end, we researched the potential plant-pollinator networks of three existing seed mixes in western New York (USA) – a roadside seed mix, a pollinator-friendly planting mix, and a lawn seed mix. We used publicly available information and built bipartite graphs to show the resulting networks. The pollinator-friendly seed mix supported the most pollinating insects overall and taxa of conservation concern. Yet the roadside mix, with the same species richness as the lawn seed mix, supported a different network based on the plants in the mix. Our results inform which particular plant species in existing seed mixes in western New York can support wild pollinating insect species of concern in the region. Additionally, our results show potentially how roadside and lawn plantings may be altered to support a broader network of pollinating insects.

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noor Nasuha Abd Aziz ◽  
Siti Khairiyah Mohd Hatta ◽  
Idris Abd Ghani ◽  
Saiyid Jalaluddin Saiyid Shaifuddin

A study on abundance and diversity of Hymenoptera was conducted in Gunung Datuk, Rembau. Samplings were conducted from November 2014 to February 2015 using six Malaise traps. Three traps were placed at Site 1 at 700m height for high elevation and the remaining traps were placed at Site 2 at 200m height for low elevation. A total number of 221 Hymenopteran were collected which consist of nine families namely Ichneumonidae, Formicidae, Braconidae, Bethylidae, Evaniidae, Tiphiidae, Vespidae, Pompilidae and Apidae. In this study, 93 individuals were obtained from Site 1, comprising nine families and 43 morphospecies while 127 individuals were obtained from Site 2 with nine families and 45 morphospecies. Formicidae was the most dominant family collected from both sites with a total of 104 individuals while the least family recorded was Apidae with only one individual. Shannon’s Weiner Diversity Index (H’) showed Site 1 had the higher diversity value with H’ = 3.17 compared to Site 2 with value H’ = 3.12. For Evenness Index, Site 1 had higher value compared to Site 2 with E’ = 0.84 and E’ = 0.82 respectively. Moreover, for Margalef Richness Index, Site 1 recorded R’ = 9.24 while site two recorded R’ = 9.08 which concluded that Site 1 had higher species richness compared to Site 2. Paired t-test showed that both sites had no significant difference with p>0.05. Overall study showed that the diversity and abundance of Hymenoptera in Gunung Datuk were low since the value of H’ is less than 3.50.


Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 148
Author(s):  
Mani Shrestha ◽  
Jair E. Garcia ◽  
Freya Thomas ◽  
Scarlett R. Howard ◽  
Justin H. J. Chua ◽  
...  

There is increasing interest in developing urban design principles that incorporate good ecological management. Research on understanding the distribution and role of beneficial pollinating insects, in particular, is changing our view of the ecological value of cities. With the rapid expansion of the built environment comes a need to understand how insects may be affected in extensive urban areas. We therefore investigated insect pollinator capture rates in a rapidly growing and densely urbanized city (Melbourne, Australia). We identified a remnant native habitat contained within the expansive urban boundary, and established study sites at two nearby populated urban areas. We employed standard pan trap sampling techniques to passively sample insect orders in the different environments. Our results show that, even though the types of taxonomic groups of insects captured are comparable between locations, important pollinators like bees and hoverflies were more frequently captured in the remnant native habitat. By contrast, beetles (Coleoptera) and butterflies/moths (Lepidoptera) were more frequently observed in the urban residential regions. Our results suggest that the maintenance of native habitat zones within cities is likely to be valuable for the conservation of bees and the ecosystem services they provide.


2005 ◽  
Vol 119 (2) ◽  
pp. 245 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. L. Parachnowitsch ◽  
E. Elle

The Garry Oak Ecosystem (GOE) is a fragmented and endangered ecosystem in Canada, and is currently the focus of conservation and restoration efforts in British Columbia. However, little is known about the basic biology of GOE forbs, or their relationships with pollinating insects. We monitored wildflowers and their insect visitors in 25 quadrats within a 25 × 25 metre plot, located in a fragment of the GOE near Duncan, British Columbia, for six weeks (the majority of the flowering period). Overall, 21 native and non-native forb species flowered in our quadrats during the survey, and we observed an additional six forb species flowering outside of our quadrats. Eight forbs were visited within quadrats by a total of 13 insect taxa, identified to morphospecies. Visits by eight additional morphospecies were observed outside of the quadrats. In general, visitation was low; however, most insect morphospecies were observed visiting more than one plant species, and most plant species were visited by more than one insect morphospecies, suggesting that pollination may be generalised in this community. A Chi-squared analysis indicated that insect visitation was not proportional to the relative abundance of forbs, with higher than expected visitation to Common camas (Camassia quamash), and no observed visits to 11 species, most with very small (putatively unattractive) flowers. The most frequent insect visitor was the introduced Honeybee, Apis mellifera, followed by native mason bees (Osmia spp.) and mining bees (Andrena spp.). Our observations provide baseline data for future, detailed studies that should investigate the importance of plant-pollinator mutualisms for sustainability of populations and communities in this rare ecosystem.


1997 ◽  
Vol 54 (7) ◽  
pp. 1593-1607 ◽  
Author(s):  
T R Whittier ◽  
D B Halliwell ◽  
S G Paulsen

Fish assemblages were sampled in 195 randomly selected lakes in the northeastern United States during the summers of 1991-1994. Most lakes in northern Maine had three to seven minnow species, constituting 40-80% of species in each lake. Lakes in New Jersey, southern New York, and southern New England rarely had minnows, other than golden shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas). Lakes in the Adirondacks and the remainder of northern New England had intermediate numbers. We examined minnow native ranges and autecology and evaluated species richness related to littoral predators and human disturbance. Sample data suggested alteration in the minnow assemblages over much of the region. The most consistent factor related to minnow species richness was the presence of littoral predators. Median number of minnow species was two in lakes lacking predators and zero in lakes with predators. Non-native predators, especially Micropterus spp., have been introduced throughout the Northeast; 69% of the sampled lakes had non-native predators. In the absence of predators, minnow species declined with increased human activity in the watershed and along lake shorelines. Only in northern Maine did lake minnow assemblages seem relatively intact.


1985 ◽  
Vol 63 (7) ◽  
pp. 1519-1530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara L. Peckarsky

Experiments in Colorado and New York streams assessed the effects of predaceous stoneflies on benthic invertebrate community establishment in enclosures providing uncolonized habitat. Aspects of prey community structure measured were density, species richness, relative species abundance, and body size. Unexpected inorganic sediment deposition allowed evaluation of direct effects on Colorado stream benthos and indirect effects on predation. Predaceous perlids and perlodids consistently reduced the density and, therefore, rate of prey community establishment in enclosures. Although New York perlids disproportionately reduced densities of some prey species, Colorado stoneflies caused nonsignificant declines in individual prey species densities, the composite effect of which was a significant whole-community response. Predators did not affect prey species richness nor change the taxonomic composition (species additions or deletions) of communities colonizing enclosures. However, the relative abundance of prey taxa differed significantly between cages with and without predators. Most species showed no size differences between individuals colonizing enclosures with predators and those colonizing control enclosures, with a few interesting exceptions. The deposition of silt eliminated the predator effects on prey density, as well as directly causing significant reductions in many Colorado benthic populations. This result demonstrates that abiotic disturbances can periodically override the effects of predation on stream insect communities colonizing enclosures.


Author(s):  
Christopher T Leffler ◽  
Matthew C Hogan

Background. Populations heavily exposed to the novel coronavirus provide an opportunity to estimate the mortality from COVID-19 in different age groups. Methods. The mortality reported by May 13 from COVID-19 among Diamond Princess cruise ship passengers, and New York residents and Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) workers was estimated based on publicly available information. Results. The mortality among children (age 0 to 17 yrs) in New York City was 1 in 172,692. The mortality in New York state was 1 in 322,217 for ages 10-19 yrs., and 1 in 36,725 for ages 20-29 yrs. The mortality among New York transit workers was estimated to be 1 in 7,329 for ages 30-39 years; 1 in 1,075 for ages 40-49 yrs.; 1 in 343 for ages 50-59 yrs.; and 1 in 178 for ages 60-69 yrs. Among Diamond Princess passengers, the mortality was estimated to be 1 in 145 for ages 70-79, and 1 in 54 for ages 80-89. Conclusions: Mortality among populations exposed to the novel coronavirus increases with age, ranging from about 1 in 170,000 below the age of 18 years, to 1 in 54 above the age of 80 years.


2020 ◽  
Vol 43:1 ◽  
pp. 7350-7365
Author(s):  
Joseph Blaise Pando ◽  
Denis Djonwangwé ◽  
Olivier Balti Moudelsia ◽  
Fernand-Nestor Tchuenguem Fohouo ◽  
Joseph Lebel Tamesse

Pour déterminer la richesse spécifique, la fréquence relative, les produits alimentaires recherchés, les insectes pollinisateurs et l’impact de ces insectes sur les rendements, deux traitements ont été formés à partir du marquage de 240 boutons floraux en 2015 et 2017 chacun selon la présence ou l’absence de protection contre les insectes. Les observations ont été faites sur les fleurs de Abelmoschus esculentus en libre pollinisation du 11 au 22 septembre 2015 et du 7 au 19 septembre 2017 à Wourndé et Palar respectivement. La diversité spécifique des insectes floricoles de gombo était de 17 et 20 espèces respectivement à Wourndé et à Palar. L’indice de Jacard (J = 0,15) révèle une similarité entre les deux sites, preuve que les conditions environnementales sont similaires dans les deux habitats. Les insectes butinaient les fleurs du gombo de 8 h à 13 h, avec le pic de l’activité de l’ensemble de visites de ceux-ci situé entre 10 h et 11 h. Les insectes développaient un comportement très élaboré lors de la récolte du nectar et/ou du pollen et la consommation du pétale. On peut regrouper ces insectes en pollinisateur majeur (Lipotriches collaris), pollinisateurs mineurs [Sphecodes albilabris, Camponotus flavomarginatus, le Vespidae (1 sp.), Lasioglossum albilabris, Seladonia sp., Lasioglossum albipes, Lipotriches pulchriventris et le Formicidae (1 sp.)] et pollinisateurs occasionnels. La comparaison des rendements des fleurs non protégées à celui des fleurs protégées des insectes ont montré que les insectes ont un impact positif sur ce rendement. L’influence de ces insectes est estimée à 9,57%, 7,18% et 4,34% pour le taux de fructification, le nombre de graines/capsule et le pourcentage de graines normales respectivement. Afin d’améliorer le rendement de A. esculentus, il est conseillé de préserver les insectes floricoles non nuisibles dans les champs de gombo en évitant les traitements aux pesticides pendant la période de floraison lorsqu’ils ne se justifient pas. ABSTRACT To determine the species richness, the relative frequency, desired food products, the pollinating insects and impact of these insects on the yields, two treatments were formed from the marking of 240 flower buds in 2015 and 2017, differentiated according to the presence or absence of protection against insect’s activities. Observations were made on free-pollinated Abelmoschus esculentus flowers from 11 to 22 September 2015 and from 7 to 19 September 2017 in Wourndé and Palar respectively. The specific diversity of the flowering insects of okra was 17 and 20 species respectively in Wourndé and Palar. The Jacard index (J = 0.15) reveals a similarity between the two sites, proof that the environmental conditions are similar in both habitats. The insects foraged the flowers of the okra from 8h to 13h, with the peak of the activity of the set of visits of them located between 10 h and 11 h. The insects developed a much elaborated behaviour during the harvest of the nectar and / or the pollen and the consumption of petal. These insects can be grouped into major pollinators (Lipotriches collaris), minor pollinators [Sphecodes albilabris, Camponotus flavomarginatus, Vespidae (1 sp.), Lasioglossum albilabris, Seladonia sp., Lasioglossum albipes, Lipotriches pulchriventris and Formicidae (1 sp.)).] and occasional pollinators. By comparing the yield of unprotected flowers to that of insect-protected flowers, it appeared that insects have a positive impact on this yield. The influence of these insects is estimated at 9.57 %, 7.18 % and 4.34 % for the fruiting rate, the number of seeds / capsule and the percentage of normal seeds respectively. To improve the yield of A. esculentus, it is advisable to preserve the flower-dwelling insects in okra fields by avoiding pesticide treatments during the flowering period when they are not justified.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Sun ◽  
Lei Li ◽  
Jiayu Song ◽  
Wei Mao ◽  
Kaihao Xiao ◽  
...  

Background: Accumulating evidence suggests a connection between the gut microbiota and neonatal diseases. Hypoxia may play an important role in the intestinal lesions in neonates.Objective: This study aims to determine whether the gut microbiota differs between intrauterine hypoxic rats and healthy controls and to identify the factors that influence the changes in the gut microbiota.Methods: We constructed an intrauterine hypoxia model in rats and collected the intestinal contents of intrauterine hypoxic newborn rats and normal newborn rats within 4 h and on the seventh day after birth. They were divided them into the intrauterine hypoxia first-day group (INH1), intrauterine hypoxia seventh-day group (INH7), normal first-day group (NOR1), and normal seventh-day group (NOR7). The contents of the intestines were sequenced with 16S rRNA sequencing, the sequencing results were analyzed for biological information, and the differences in the diversity, richness, and individual taxa among the groups were analyzed.Results: The abundance of the gut microbiota of neonatal rats with intrauterine hypoxia was higher than that of the control group rats. Intrauterine hypoxia altered the structural composition of the gut microbiota in neonatal rats. The INH1 group showed increased species richness, phylogenetic diversity, and β-diversity, and altered relative abundance in several taxa compared to those in the control group. The differences in the microbiota among the four groups were significantly higher than those within the group, and the differences in the abundance and diversity of the INH7 and NOR7 groups decreased after 7 days of suckling. Functional analysis based on the Cluster of Orthologous Groups (COG) suggested that 23 functional COG categories. There was no significant difference in the functional categories between the hypoxia group and the normal group.Conclusion: Intrauterine hypoxia changed the initial colonization of the gut microbiota in neonatal rats. It could increase the species richness and β-diversity of the gut microbiota, and altered relative abundances of several taxa.


Ecology ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 95 (2) ◽  
pp. 466-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christiane Natalie Weiner ◽  
Michael Werner ◽  
Karl Eduard Linsenmair ◽  
Nico Blüthgen

2017 ◽  
Vol 121 (1) ◽  
pp. 150-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pernille B. Eidesen ◽  
Lorna Little ◽  
Eike Müller ◽  
Katharine J. M. Dickinson ◽  
Janice M. Lord

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