Bees, butterflies, beetles, moths, flies and other invertebrate pollinators are critical to the function of the world's terrestrial ecosystems.  Without pollination, many plants are unable to reproduce or produce fruit and seeds at much lower rates.  Agriculture and human food production is heavily dependent upon "pollination services".  However, due to habitat loss and degradation, as well as extensive use of pesticides, many native pollinator populations appear to be threatened or facing uncertain futures.  The conservation question is made more difficult to answer because the population ecology of many pollinator species is only poorly known.

 

This campus ecology research project involves the study of pollination ecology among native North American invertebrate pollinators.  A team of investigators is being assembled to address some of the key issues related to the detection, evidence, and consequences for declining pollinator populations.  This project will involve different aspects of pollinator ecology ranging from population censuses to assessing the impacts of habitat alternation and restoration.