scholarly journals PollMap: a software for crop pollination mapping in agricultural landscapes

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ehsan Rahimi ◽  
Shahindokht Barghjelveh ◽  
Pinliang Dong ◽  
Maghsoud Arshadi Pirlar ◽  
Mohammad Mehdi Jahanbakhshian
Keyword(s):  
Landscape Planning ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Floral Resources ◽  
Crop Pollination ◽  
Wild Bees ◽  
Forest Patches ◽  
Pollination Service ◽  
Flight Range ◽  
Service Mapping ◽  
Lonsdorf Model

Abstract Background Ecosystem service mapping is an important tool for decision-making in landscape planning and natural resource management. Today, pollination service mapping is based on the Lonsdorf model (InVEST software) that determines the availability of nesting and floral resources for each land cover and estimates pollination according to the foraging range of the desired species. However, it is argued that the Lonsdorf model has significant limitations in estimating pollination in a landscape that can affect the results of this model. Results This paper presents a free software, named PollMap, that does not have the limitations of the Lonsdorf model. PollMap estimates the pollination service according to a modified version of the Lonsdorf model and assumes that only cells within the flight range of bees are important in the pollination mapping. This software is produced for estimating and mapping crop pollination in agricultural landscapes. The main assumption of this software is that in the agricultural landscapes, which are dominated by forest and agriculture ecosystems, forest patches serve only as a nesting habitat for wild bees and the surrounding fields provide floral resources. Conclusion The present study provided new software for mapping crop pollination in agricultural landscapes that does not have the limitations of the Lonsdorf model. We showed that the use of the Lonsdorf model for pollination mapping requires attention to the limitations of this model, and by removing these limitations, we will need new software to obtain a reliable mapping of pollination in agricultural landscapes.

scholarly journals Using the Lonsdorf model for estimating habitat loss and fragmentation effects on pollination service

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ehsan Rahimi ◽  
Shahindokht Barghjelveh ◽  
Pinliang Dong
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Loss ◽  
Critical Factor ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Forest Patches ◽  
Habitat Amount ◽  
Habitat Patches ◽  
Farm Level ◽  
Habitat Loss And Fragmentation ◽  
Lonsdorf Model ◽  
Landscape Level

AbstractOne of the most important issues related to landscape ecology and ecosystem services is finding the pattern of habitat patches that offers the highest pollination in agricultural landscapes. In this regard, two processes of habitat loss and fragmentation strongly affect the relationship between pollination and the pattern of habitat patches. In the present study, we aimed to examine the effects of habitat loss and fragmentation on pollination separately. For this purpose, first, we generated different simulated agricultural landscapes, including two habitats of forest and agriculture. Then, according to the Lonsdorf model, we estimated the potential of the simulated landscapes in providing pollination in different scenarios. Finally, using statistical models, we estimated the effects of habitat loss and fragmentation on pollination at the landscape and farm levels. Our results showed that the effects of habitat loss and fragmentation on pollination were completely different at the landscape and farm levels. At the landscape level, fragmentation negatively affected pollination, but at the farm level, the maximum pollination rate was observed in the landscapes with a high degree of fragmentation. Regarding the habitat loss effects, our results showed that pollination decreased linearly at the landscape level as habitat amount decreased, but at the farm level, it decreased exponentially. The present study considered the level of analysis (i.e., landscape and farm levels) as a critical factor affecting pollination changes caused by fragmentation. We showed that using the Lonsdorf model could lead to confusing results for the landscape ecologists and alert farmers who want to reduce the adverse effects of fragmentation on their products by creating new forest patches. Therefore, agriculturalists and landscape ecologists should consider that the pollination rate at the landscape and farm levels is completely different according to the model and provide contradictory results about the process of habitat loss effects on pollination.

scholarly journals Evaluating the Potential of Landscape Metrics in Supporting Landscape Planning in Atlantic Forest

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Paula Dias Turetta ◽  
Rachel Bardy Prado ◽  
Gustavo de Souza Valladares
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Landscape Metrics ◽  
Landscape Structure ◽  
Landscape Planning ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Forest Patches ◽  
Dominant Component ◽  
A Site

The landscapes are highly dependent on the dynamics of local land use and land cover, which directly affects landscape structure and determines the spatial patterns of forest patches, as well as to the major land uses within a specific region. The calculation of landscape metrics can support the understanding of such spatial distribution. In this study, 16 landscape metrics were analyzed in a drainage watershed in a high relief region in the Rio de Janeiro state, Southeastern Brazil, with the aim to evaluate the use of landscape metrics as indicators for agricultural management. Metrics calculation was followed by a Principal Component Analysis, which indicated the metrics that were most effective in evidencing the landscape structure in analysis. The results showed that the late-succession forest is the dominant component in the landscape. This class also presented the highest MPS metric value, related to the mean patch size by class. Some PCA results suggest that the metrics association was less effective in clustering the overgrown pasture, clean pasture, and annual crops classes, but this could result from the intrinsic association among those classes, by crop rotation, meaning the abandon of a site formerly occupied by an annual crop. Some metrics better suggested an interaction among land use classes and have potential to be use in the analyses of agricultural landscapes in high relief sites.

scholarly journals Pollinator enhancement in agriculture: comparing sown flower strips, hedges and sown hedge herb layers in apple orchards

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivien von Königslöw ◽  
Felix Fornoff ◽  
Alexandra-Maria Klein
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Floral Resources ◽  
Apple Orchards ◽  
Wild Bees ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Flower Visitation ◽  
Wild Bee ◽  
Pollinator Community ◽  
Main Driver

AbstractIn intensive agricultural landscapes semi-natural habitats for pollinators are often limited, although willingness to establish pollinator habitat is increasing among farmers. A common pollinator enhancement measure is to provide flower strips, but existent or improved hedgerows might be more effective. In this study, we compare the effectiveness of three pollinator enhancement measures at edges of conventional apple orchards: (i) perennial flower strips, (ii) existent hedgerows, and (iii) existent hedgerows complemented with a sown herb layer. We used orchard edges without any enhancement as control. The study took place over three consecutive years in Southern Germany. Wild bee abundance and species richness were highest in flower strips followed by improved hedges. Hoverflies were also most abundant in flower strips, but not more species rich than at control sites. Wild bee but not hoverfly community composition differed between control and enhancement sites. The overall pollinator community included only few threatened or specialized species. Flower abundance was the main driver for wild bee diversity, whereas hoverflies were largely unaffected by floral resources. Pollinator enhancement had neither an effect on the abundance or species richness within the orchards nor on apple flower visitation. Perennial flower strips seem most effective to enhance wild bees in intensive agricultural landscapes. Additionally, flower-rich hedgerows should be promoted to complement flower strips by extending the flowering period and to increase connectivity of pollinator habitat in agricultural landscapes.

scholarly journals How Bees Respond Differently to Field Margins of Shrubby and Herbaceous Plants in Intensive Agricultural Crops of the Mediterranean Area

Insects ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Sanchez ◽  
Aline Carrasco ◽  
Michelangelo La Spina ◽  
María Pérez-Marcos ◽  
F. Ortiz-Sánchez
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Intensive Agriculture ◽  
Floral Resources ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Wild Bees ◽  
Floral Diversity ◽  
Pollinating Insects ◽  
Abundance And Diversity ◽  
Bee Communities

(1) Intensive agriculture has a high impact on pollinating insects, and conservation strategies targeting agricultural landscapes may greatly contribute to their maintenance. The aim of this work was to quantify the effect that the vegetation of crop margins, with either herbaceous or shrubby plants, had on the abundance and diversity of bees in comparison to non-restored margins. (2) The work was carried out in an area of intensive agriculture in southern Spain. Bees were monitored visually and using pan traps, and floral resources were quantified in crop margins for two years. (3) An increase in the abundance and diversity of wild bees in restored margins was registered, compared to non-restored margins. Significant differences in the structure of bee communities were found between shrubby and herbaceous margins. Apis mellifera and mining bees were found to be more polylectic than wild Apidae and Megachilidae. The abundance of A. mellifera and mining bees was correlated to the total floral resources, in particular, to those offered by the Boraginaceae and Brassicaceae; wild Apidae and Megachilidae were associated with the Lamiaceae. (4) This work emphasises the importance of floral diversity and shrubby plants for the maintenance of rich bee communities in Mediterranean agricultural landscapes.

MANAGEMENT AND SPATIAL PLANNING IN THE COASTAL ZONE OF THE CHEBOKSARY RESERVOIR

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inna Nikonorova ◽  
Inna Nikonorova
Keyword(s):  
Natural Environment ◽  
Landscape Planning ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Cheboksary Reservoir ◽  
Functional Zoning ◽  
Area Of Influence ◽  
The Moment ◽  
Special Protection Areas ◽  
Conceptual Foundations

Cheboksary reservoir impact to the coast is manifested in the geophysical impact associated with abrasion activities. Geomorphological area of influence at the moment reaches a width of about 40 m, where are the coasts reformation (erosion, collapse, slumping, sliding, transfer or accumulation of sediments, waterlogged processes). Hydrogeological impact is effect on the level of groundwater. We have proposed the conceptual foundations of functional zoning of the reservoir banks that will help to optimize its operation. Selection zones came in accordance with the principles of landscape planning: 1. The zone of strict water protection: the main purpose – preservation of needing special protection areas. 2. The zone of moderate restrictions: preservation extensively used landscapes. 3. The zone of partial restrictions: improving the pre-emptive particularly vulnerable areas and changing intensity or type of use. 4. The zone of conservation of natural components in agricultural landscapes: ensuring health of the natural environment in the habitats used in agricultural economy. 5. The zone of preservation of vacant space and the natural environment in the settlements: to maintain the required quantity and quality of available green space in the large towns. 6. The zone of improving heavily used areas: elimination of harmful stress and environmental sanitation in the countryside where economic activities and the lack of measures to reduce their risks lead to degradation natural system.

scholarly journals Identity of mass-flowering crops moderates functional trait composition of pollinator communities

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Beyer ◽  
Felix Kirsch ◽  
Doreen Gabriel ◽  
Catrin Westphal
Keyword(s):  
Faba Bean ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Functional Trait ◽  
Flower Morphology ◽  
Landscape Diversity ◽  
Floral Resources ◽  
Wild Bees ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Mass Flowering ◽  
Wild Bee

Abstract Context Pollinator declines and functional homogenization of farmland insect communities have been reported. Mass-flowering crops (MFC) can support pollinators by providing floral resources. Knowledge about how MFC with dissimilar flower morphology affect functional groups and functional trait compositions of wild bee communities is scarce. Objective We investigated how two morphologically different MFC, land cover and local flower cover of semi-natural habitats (SNH) and landscape diversity affect wild bees and their functional traits (body size, tongue length, sociality, foraging preferences). Methods We conducted landscape-level wild bee surveys in SNH of 30 paired study landscapes covering an oilseed rape (OSR) (Brassica napus L.) gradient. In 15 study landscapes faba beans (Vicia faba L.) were grown, paired with respective control landscapes without grain legumes. Results Faba bean cultivation promoted bumblebees (Bombus spp. Latreille), whereas non-Bombus densities were only driven by the local flower cover of SNH. High landscape diversity enhanced wild bee species richness. Faba bean cultivation enhanced the proportions of social wild bees, bees foraging on Fabaceae and slightly of long-tongued bumblebees. Solitary bee proportions increased with high covers of OSR. High local SNH flower covers mitigated changes of mean bee sizes caused by faba bean cultivation. Conclusions Our results show that MFC support specific functional bee groups adapted to their flower morphology and can alter pollinators` functional trait composition. We conclude that management practices need to target the cultivation of functionally diverse crops, combined with high local flower covers of diverse SNH to create heterogeneous landscapes, which sustain diverse pollinator communities.

Dryland organic farming increases floral resources and bee colony success in highly simplified agricultural landscapes

2019 ◽  
Vol 270-271 ◽  
pp. 9-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subodh Adhikari ◽  
Laura A. Burkle ◽  
Kevin M. O’Neill ◽  
David K. Weaver ◽  
Fabian D. Menalled
Keyword(s):  
Organic Farming ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Floral Resources ◽  
Bee Colony

scholarly journals Improving Habitat Quality at the Local and Landscape Scales Increases Wild Bee Assemblages and Associated Pollination Services in Apple Orchards in China

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Panlong Wu ◽  
Piaopiao Dai ◽  
Meina Wang ◽  
Sijie Feng ◽  
Aruhan Olhnuud ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Wild Bees ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Pollination Services ◽  
Wild Bee ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Bee Diversity ◽  
Landscape Scales

Bees provide key pollination services for a wide range of crops. Accumulating evidence shows the effect of semi-natural habitats at the landscape level and local management practices on bee diversity in fields. However, most of the evidence is derived from studies in North America and Europe. Whether this paradigm is applicable in China, which is characterized by smallholder-dominated agricultural landscapes, has rarely been studied. In this study, we aimed to investigate how bee diversity affected apple production, and how landscape and local variables affected bee diversity and species composition on the Northern China Plain. The results showed that bees significantly increased apple fruit set compared to bagged controls. Wild bee diversity was positively related to apple seed numbers. Higher seed numbers reduced the proportion of deformed apples and thus increased fruit quality. Wild bee abundance was positively correlated with flowering ground cover, and both the abundance and species richness of wild bees were positively affected by the percentage of semi-natural habitats. We conclude that apple quality can benefit from ecological intensification comprising the augmentation of wild bees by semi-natural habitats and flowering ground cover. Future pollination management should therefore reduce the intensification level of management at both the local and landscape scales.

scholarly journals PROBLEMS OF CREATING AN ECOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK OF AGRO-LANDSCAPES IN THE TERRITORY OF ALTAI KRAI

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 353-361
Author(s):  
O.N. Baryshnikova ◽  
A.P. Olfert ◽  
A.G. Repko ◽  
Yu.I. Fatueva
Keyword(s):  
Crop Yields ◽  
Landscape Planning ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Forest Steppe ◽  
Ecological Framework ◽  
Natural Landscapes ◽  
Forest Belts ◽  
The Creation ◽  
Protective Forest ◽  
Network Tree

On the example of the territory of the Altai Krai, the article traces the consequences of destruction of the natural landscapes structure, the creation of artificial elements of their ecological framework of agricultural landscapes, which currently needs restoration and optimization. The thesis is substantiated that the ecological frame of the Altai Krai territory should be as close as possible to the structure of its natural landscapes, which will ensure the productivity of farmland. The most important elements of the ecological framework of forest-steppe and especially steppe landscapes are forest belts, for the creation of which it is necessary to use elements of a water-erosion network, tree species that form a zonal type of vegetation. Creating a system of protective forest plantations in combination with ponds and terrace embankments can increase crop yields up to 25-50 centners per hectare. Landscape planning can serve as a tool for creating an ecological framework for a territory.

scholarly journals Araneus bonali sp. n., a novel lichen-patterned species found on oak trunks (Araneae, Araneidae)

ZooKeys ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 779 ◽  
pp. 119-145
Author(s):  
Eduardo Morano ◽  
Raul Bonal
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Nature Management ◽  
Forest Patches ◽  
Western Spain ◽  
Morphological And Molecular Data ◽  
Forest Arthropods

The new species Araneusbonali Morano, sp. n. (Araneae, Araneidae) collected in central and western Spain is described and illustrated. Its novel status is confirmed after a thorough revision of the literature and museum material from the Mediterranean Basin. The taxonomy of Araneus is complicated, but both morphological and molecular data supported the genus membership of Araneusbonali Morano, sp. n. Additionally, the species uniqueness was confirmed by sequencing the barcode gene cytochrome oxidase I from the new species and comparing it with the barcodes available for species of Araneus. A molecular phylogeny, based on nuclear and mitochondrial genes, retrieved a clade with a moderate support that grouped Araneusdiadematus Clerck, 1757 with another eleven species, but neither included Araneusbonali sp. n. nor Araneusangulatus Clerck, 1757, although definitive conclusions about the relationships among Araneus species need more markers examined and a broader taxonomic coverage. The new species was collected on isolated holm oaks and forest patches within agricultural landscapes. Adults were mostly trapped on tree trunks, where their lichen-like colours favour mimicry, while juveniles were collected on tree branches. Specimens were never found either in ground traps or grass samples. This species overwinters as egg, juveniles appear in early spring, but reproduction does not take place until late summer-early autumn. Araneusbonali Morano, sp. n. was found in the same locality from where another new spider species was described. Nature management policies should thus preserve isolated trees as key refuges for forest arthropods in agricultural landscapes, as they may be hosting more unnoticed new species. After including Araneusbonali Morano, sp. n. and removing doubtful records and synonymies, the list of Araneus species in the Iberian Peninsula numbers eight.

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