GWCT pollinators research
Funders:
Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust
Organisation:
Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust
Date:
January 2015
Copyright:
Evidence:
Academic research
Key Farming Practices:
Habitat creation
View the website
Resource explained:
This web page of the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) introduces the importance of insect pollination in relation to herbaceous flowering plants and the two-way relationship between them. It highlights the farmer’s role in ensuring the survival of insects that visit flowers, and stresses the importance of appropriately managing existing and new flower-rich areas. There is a link to the Farm4Bio project (which focuses on managing uncropped land to enhance biodiversity). You can also access information about key research in which GWCT have been involved:
- ‘Providing the ideal habitat for bumblebees’ refers to a study that looked at bumblebee abundance and nest density of common species on arable farms with and without flower-rich habitats.
- ‘Bumblebee use of farmland habitats’ outlines research that looked at differences in pollinator habitats in relation to farmland management.
- ‘The birds and the bees’ investigated the impact of pollinating insects on fruit set in hedgerow shrubs.
Findings & recommendations:
- Pollinators help provide variety in our diets and they play a vital role in maintaining biodiversity and a healthy ecosystem.
- Evidence suggests that many pollinating species may be in decline and that it is the combination of different threats that are reducing populations of some species in the wild.
- The loss of flower-rich habitats increases the impact other pressures, such as intensive agriculture, are having on pollinators.
- We can all take positive actions to help create or preserve pollinator habitats.
- Defra is undertaking research to ascertain which pollinator populations are changing, what is causing this change, and which interventions may help most.