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Exploring Biodiversity through the Lens of Knautia arvensis Pollinators: Knautia Pollinator Walks as a Monitoring Method
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Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM), Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
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Center for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model Systems, EEMiS, Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Linnaeus University, SE-391 82 Kalmar, Sweden
3
Calluna AB, Linköpings Slott, SE-582 28 Linköping, Sweden
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Insects 2024, 15(8), 563; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15080563
Submission received: 22 June 2024
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Revised: 20 July 2024
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Accepted: 23 July 2024
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Published: 25 July 2024
(This article belongs to the Collection Insects on Pollination Ecology)
Simple Summary
Monitoring pollinator populations is crucial for understanding biodiversity trends and ensuring the health of ecosystems, especially in agricultural landscapes. This study introduces the “Knautia Pollinator Walk” as a new method for tracking pollinator diversity and abundance. By observing pollinators visiting the inflorescence of Knautia arvensis, we found significant correlations between pollinators and land use, and there were significant differences in pollinator communities between regions. Our findings highlight the importance of habitat type in influencing pollinator populations, offering a valuable tool for conservation efforts.
Abstract
Declining populations of native pollinators, especially wild bees, underline the urgent need for effective monitoring within agricultural ecosystems. This study aims to (i) establish the ‘Knautia Pollinator Walk’ as an innovative pollinator monitoring method, (ii) examine the link between pollinator richness/density and land cover, and (iii) assess if specialist solitary bees indicate pollinator abundance and morphogroup richness. The approach involves surveying 500 Knautia arvensis inflorescences per site thrice per season. Observations of 11,567 pollinators across 203 taxa showed significant correlations between pollinator diversity and land use. Pollinator populations fluctuated with land cover type, increasing in open areas but decreasing or stabilising in forested and shrubby regions. Noteworthy differences in pollinator types were seen between Russia (solitary bees, small Diptera, Lepidoptera) and Sweden (bumblebees, beetles, furry Diptera). The “Knautia Pollinator Walk” shows promising signs of being an effective tool for monitoring spatiotemporal biodiversity trends. The method offers a scalable approach to pollinator monitoring, which is essential for developing conservation strategies and supporting pollinator populations.
