Increase the diversity of nectar and pollen plants in the landscape for bees

Overall effectiveness category Awaiting assessment
Number of studies: 1
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How is the evidence assessed?

Effectiveness

not assessed
Certainty

not assessed
Harms

not assessed

Calculating overall effectiveness category

Background information and definitions

We have captured no direct evidence on the effects of managing elements of landscape such as areas of natural or semi-natural habitat, or crop diversity, to enhance nectar and pollen resources. One piece of evidence demonstrates that enhancing the quantity of planted nectar and pollen resources at the landscape (10 km²) scale benefits bees.

Study locations

Key messages

One large replicated controlled trial showed that the average abundance of long-tongued bumblebees on field margins was positively correlated with the number of pollen and nectar agri-environment agreements in a 10 km grid square.

About key messages

Key messages provide a descriptive index to studies we have found that test this intervention.

Studies are not directly comparable or of equal value. When making decisions based on this evidence, you should consider factors such as study size, study design, reported metrics and relevance of the study to your situation, rather than simply counting the number of studies that support a particular interpretation.

Supporting evidence from individual studies

In a replicated controlled trial in thirty-two 10 km grid squares across England (Pywell et al. 2006), the abundance of long-tongued bumblebees, mostly common carder bee B. pascuorum and garden bumblebee B. hortorum, recorded on trial field margins (various planting treatments) was positively correlated with the total number of pollen and nectar-mix agri-environment agreements in each 10 km square. There is no record of the numbers of long-tongued bumblebees in these grid squares before the agreements were implemented.
Study and other actions tested
Referenced paper
Pywell R.F., Warman E.A., Hulmes L., Hulmes S., Nuttall P., Sparks T.H., Critchley C.N.R. & Sherwood A. (2006) Effectiveness of new agri-environment schemes in providing foraging resources for bumblebees in intensively farmed landscapes. Biological Conservation, 129, 192-206.

Please cite as:

Dicks, L.V., Showler, D.A. & Sutherland, W.J. (2010) Bee conservation: evidence for the effects of interventions. Pelagic Publishing, Exeter, UK

Where has this evidence come from?

List of journals searched by synopsis

All the journals searched for all synopses

This Action forms part of the Action Synopsis:

Bee Conservation

Related Actions

Actions	Effectiveness	Studies	Category
Connect areas of natural or semi-natural habitat for bees Action Link	Awaiting assessment	0	Synopsis Link
Reduce grazing intensity on pastures Action Link	Awaiting assessment	1	Synopsis Link
Leave arable field margins uncropped with natural regeneration Action Link	Awaiting assessment	6	Synopsis Link