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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Madison, Wisconsin » U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center » Dairy Forage Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #415683
Research Project: Developing Sustainable Forage and Cover Crop Systems for Dairy Farms

Location: Dairy Forage Research

Title: The effects of floral resource phenology and farm management practices on pollinators and pollination services on row crop farms

Author
item GAMBEL, JESS - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE)
item Duff, Alison

Submitted to: Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/14/2024
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Row crops, such as soybeans, that make up much of the landcover of Midwestern farms do not typically provide floral resources for animal pollinators. However, the habitat surrounding these crops could offer valuable forage for pollinating insects. In this study, we surveyed flowering plant species and visiting bee species on soybean-adjacent habitats of varying floral quality throughout southern Wisconsin. We measured bee species abundance and richness in relation to flower abundance and forb species richness, and compared the temporal availability of floral resources in habitat types. Additionally, we compared management practices at farm study sites to assess correlations with bee abundance and richness.