Analysis of Pollination Services Provided by Wild and Managed Bees (Apoidea) in Wild Blueberry (<i>Vaccinium angustifolium</i> Aiton) Production in Maine, USA, with a Literature Review
Maine is the largest producer of wild blueberry (<i>Vaccinium angustifolium</i> Aiton) in the United States. Pollination comes from combinations of honey bees (<i>Apis mellifera</i> (L.)), commercial bumble bees (<i>Bombus impatiens</i> Cresson), and wild bees. Th...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2020-09-01
|
| Series: | Agronomy |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/10/9/1413 |
| _version_ | 1797553440270843904 |
|---|---|
| author | Sara L. Bushmann Francis A. Drummond |
| author_facet | Sara L. Bushmann Francis A. Drummond |
| author_sort | Sara L. Bushmann |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Maine is the largest producer of wild blueberry (<i>Vaccinium angustifolium</i> Aiton) in the United States. Pollination comes from combinations of honey bees (<i>Apis mellifera</i> (L.)), commercial bumble bees (<i>Bombus impatiens</i> Cresson), and wild bees. This study addresses (1) previous research addressing wild-blueberry pollination, (2) effects of wild-bee and honey-bee activity densities on fruit set, yield, and crop value, (3) the economic value of wild-bee communities, and (4) economic consequences of pollinator loss. Bee communities were sampled in 40 fields over three years (2010–2012) and bee activity densities were estimated for bumble bees, honey bees, and other wild bees. These data were applied to an economic model to estimate the value of bee taxa. Bumble bees and honey bees predicted fruit set and reduced its spatial heterogeneity. Other wild bees were not significant predictors of fruit set. Yield was predicted by fruit set and field size, but not pest management tactics. Our analysis showed that disruption in supply of honey bees would result in nearly a 30% decrease in crop yield, buffered in part by wild bees that provide “background” levels of pollination. Honey-bee stocking density and, thus, the activity density of honey bees was greater in larger fields, but not for wild bees. Therefore, a decrease in crop yield would be greater than 30% for large fields due to the proportionally greater investment in honey bees in large fields and a relatively lower contribution by wild bees. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T16:15:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4170367020b5473580a6e84c70fe7aa5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4395 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T16:15:29Z |
| publishDate | 2020-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Agronomy |
| spelling | doaj.art-4170367020b5473580a6e84c70fe7aa52023-11-20T14:03:07ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952020-09-01109141310.3390/agronomy10091413Analysis of Pollination Services Provided by Wild and Managed Bees (Apoidea) in Wild Blueberry (<i>Vaccinium angustifolium</i> Aiton) Production in Maine, USA, with a Literature ReviewSara L. Bushmann0Francis A. Drummond1George Stevens Academy, Blue Hill, ME 04614, USASchool of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USAMaine is the largest producer of wild blueberry (<i>Vaccinium angustifolium</i> Aiton) in the United States. Pollination comes from combinations of honey bees (<i>Apis mellifera</i> (L.)), commercial bumble bees (<i>Bombus impatiens</i> Cresson), and wild bees. This study addresses (1) previous research addressing wild-blueberry pollination, (2) effects of wild-bee and honey-bee activity densities on fruit set, yield, and crop value, (3) the economic value of wild-bee communities, and (4) economic consequences of pollinator loss. Bee communities were sampled in 40 fields over three years (2010–2012) and bee activity densities were estimated for bumble bees, honey bees, and other wild bees. These data were applied to an economic model to estimate the value of bee taxa. Bumble bees and honey bees predicted fruit set and reduced its spatial heterogeneity. Other wild bees were not significant predictors of fruit set. Yield was predicted by fruit set and field size, but not pest management tactics. Our analysis showed that disruption in supply of honey bees would result in nearly a 30% decrease in crop yield, buffered in part by wild bees that provide “background” levels of pollination. Honey-bee stocking density and, thus, the activity density of honey bees was greater in larger fields, but not for wild bees. Therefore, a decrease in crop yield would be greater than 30% for large fields due to the proportionally greater investment in honey bees in large fields and a relatively lower contribution by wild bees.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/10/9/1413bumble bee<i>Bombus</i>honey bee<i>Apis</i>wild blueberryfruit set |
| spellingShingle | Sara L. Bushmann Francis A. Drummond Analysis of Pollination Services Provided by Wild and Managed Bees (Apoidea) in Wild Blueberry (<i>Vaccinium angustifolium</i> Aiton) Production in Maine, USA, with a Literature Review Agronomy bumble bee <i>Bombus</i> honey bee <i>Apis</i> wild blueberry fruit set |
| title | Analysis of Pollination Services Provided by Wild and Managed Bees (Apoidea) in Wild Blueberry (<i>Vaccinium angustifolium</i> Aiton) Production in Maine, USA, with a Literature Review |
| title_full | Analysis of Pollination Services Provided by Wild and Managed Bees (Apoidea) in Wild Blueberry (<i>Vaccinium angustifolium</i> Aiton) Production in Maine, USA, with a Literature Review |
| title_fullStr | Analysis of Pollination Services Provided by Wild and Managed Bees (Apoidea) in Wild Blueberry (<i>Vaccinium angustifolium</i> Aiton) Production in Maine, USA, with a Literature Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Analysis of Pollination Services Provided by Wild and Managed Bees (Apoidea) in Wild Blueberry (<i>Vaccinium angustifolium</i> Aiton) Production in Maine, USA, with a Literature Review |
| title_short | Analysis of Pollination Services Provided by Wild and Managed Bees (Apoidea) in Wild Blueberry (<i>Vaccinium angustifolium</i> Aiton) Production in Maine, USA, with a Literature Review |
| title_sort | analysis of pollination services provided by wild and managed bees apoidea in wild blueberry i vaccinium angustifolium i aiton production in maine usa with a literature review |
| topic | bumble bee <i>Bombus</i> honey bee <i>Apis</i> wild blueberry fruit set |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/10/9/1413 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT saralbushmann analysisofpollinationservicesprovidedbywildandmanagedbeesapoideainwildblueberryivacciniumangustifoliumiaitonproductioninmaineusawithaliteraturereview AT francisadrummond analysisofpollinationservicesprovidedbywildandmanagedbeesapoideainwildblueberryivacciniumangustifoliumiaitonproductioninmaineusawithaliteraturereview |