Entomology, Department of
First Advisor
Autumn Smart
Date of this Version
8-2023
Citation
Lindsay, S.E. (2023). Wild bee utilization of engineered pollinator habitat in eastern Nebraska agroecosystems, M.S. thesis, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln.
Abstract
Habitat loss is a leading cause of biodiversity decline globally. Further, loss of natural and semi-natural habitat is a major factor contributing to declines in wild pollinator populations. Among intensive agroecosystems in the Midwestern United States, corn, soy, and small grain fields dominate the landscape and leave limited space available for forb-rich habitat that supports diverse pollinator assemblages to exist and thrive. There are numerous barriers and challenges to integrating pollinator habitat into such agroecosystems and quantitative assessments of impacts on pollinator communities are largely lacking. The establishment of high-quality pollinator habitat can provide both high flower abundance and species richness seasonally to support localized bee communities. This project examines plant-bee interaction networks and flower preferences by bees among engineered pollinator habitats in eastern Nebraska. These data provide 1) baseline wild bee abundance and richness estimates for eastern Nebraska agroecosystems and 2) season-specific plant-pollinator interaction networks and plant preference information. These data can be used to examine cost-effectiveness of seed mixes used in pollinator habitat plantings relative to flower utilization and can be used to tailor seed mixes to the needs of particular pollinator groups at various times of the growing season across the study region.
Advisor: Autumn Smart
Comments
A THESIS Presented to the Faculty of The Graduate College at the University of Nebraska In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements For the Degree of Master of Science, Major: Entomology, Under the Supervision of Professor Autumn Smart. Lincoln, Nebraska: August 2023
Copyright © 2023 Shianne E. Lindsay