Optimising Nature's pharmacies: plant chemicals and pollinator health at the landscape scale
Lead Research Organisation:
Royal Holloway University of London
Department Name: Biological Sciences
Abstract
Bumble bees are not just the beloved buzz of summer meadows, they are essential to the fertilisation of wild flowers, and without them and other flower-visiting insects many of our flowering plant species would disappear. Bumble bees are one of the most important pollinating groups for wild flowers but many bumble bee species are in decline around the world. One reason for their decline is the impact of parasites on their health. Our recent work has shown that flowers not only supply visiting bumble bees with nectar for sugar and pollen for protein, but that they also provide substances that can help to combat parasite infections, and thus improve bumble bee health. If we can understand where and when these substances are produced and under what circumstances they can improve bumble bee health, we will be able to manage the landscape to maximise their benefit. In essence, we can turn natural landscapes into pharmacies for bees.
Recently, we found that ling heather, which dominates heathland and moorland in the UK, and is one of the top 4 producers of nectar for bees, produces a natural substance called callunene in the nectar, which prevents the infection of individual bumble bees with a gut parasite that can have dramatic impacts on bee health. However, lowland heathland is a highly threatened habitat, with more than 80% lost over the last 200 years, and the UK holding 20% of the global remains. In this study we will test whether the positive impact of callunene on individual bumble bees scales up to similar impacts on the health of bumble bee colonies. We will do this under controlled laboratory experiments, through controlled exposure in the field, and then in actual lowland heath, to unravel how positive impacts emerge. We will also quantify callunene production across lowland heaths to understand what factors drive its production. This will allow us to calculate the additional health value of lowland heaths to bumble bees, and understand how we can manage heaths to maximise their value to bee health.
Overall, we will assess the value of Nature's pharmacy to bee health, and provide information and guidance to managers of lowland heath to aid them in maximising the health of the bees on which heather relies.
Recently, we found that ling heather, which dominates heathland and moorland in the UK, and is one of the top 4 producers of nectar for bees, produces a natural substance called callunene in the nectar, which prevents the infection of individual bumble bees with a gut parasite that can have dramatic impacts on bee health. However, lowland heathland is a highly threatened habitat, with more than 80% lost over the last 200 years, and the UK holding 20% of the global remains. In this study we will test whether the positive impact of callunene on individual bumble bees scales up to similar impacts on the health of bumble bee colonies. We will do this under controlled laboratory experiments, through controlled exposure in the field, and then in actual lowland heath, to unravel how positive impacts emerge. We will also quantify callunene production across lowland heaths to understand what factors drive its production. This will allow us to calculate the additional health value of lowland heaths to bumble bees, and understand how we can manage heaths to maximise their value to bee health.
Overall, we will assess the value of Nature's pharmacy to bee health, and provide information and guidance to managers of lowland heath to aid them in maximising the health of the bees on which heather relies.
| Description | Defra Bees Needs Week: Bees' Needs science festival at Kew |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | To celebrate Bees' Needs Week 2024, Kew scientists hosted a public outreach event in the gardens with Pollinating London together, Reading University and Centre of Ecology and Hydrology where the public were able to learn how they can protect our precious pollinators and what Kew is doing to help, with our partners. The event was hosted in the Kitchen Garden where visitors were allowed to taste honey as an entry point to learn about chemical variation in nectar, watch live bumblebee nests, and find out how much of your weekly shopping depends on animal pollination. We provided fun tests of peoples knowledge with our bee myth-buster and showed how to tell bumblebees apart on a pollinator ID walk led by a Kew expert. In our "bumblearium", we showed bumblebees emerging from their nest and visiting different flowers - while our camera traps provided a close-up view of pollination in action. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.kew.org/kew-gardens/whats-on/bees-needs-day |
| Description | Kew Gardens Pod Cast Unearthed. How can we protect pollinators. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | As well as bees, pollinators include wasps, moths, hoverflies, butterflies, beetles, bats and birds. There are about 1,500 different insect species helping plants reproduce in the UK alone, and without them our world would be less colourful, less nutritious and less diverse. In this episode of Unearthed: Nature needs us from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew we hear how pollinator health supports the health of humans and the planet. Dr Mya-Rose Craig finds out how the biodiversity of our habitats can support pollinators against the pressures they face from climate change and human activity. Professor Phil Stevenson busts myths surrounding honeybee conservation projects whilst Professor Adam Hart looks at how we might need to change our outlooks and practises for the good of our pollinating friends. We also dive into the wonder of meadow and prairie habitats with Iain Parkinson at Wakehurst, Kew's wild botanic garden, and with Great Yellow's Isabel Milligan. Ever wondered how healthy your garden is for pollinators? Advolly Richmond considers how our social history has impacted the plight of plant-pollinator relationships. Then it's into the landscape at Wakehurst with Dr Janine Griffiths-Lee and Chantelle Lindsay. Nature Unlockedis building a new bee bank here and inviting visitors to contribute to important research. In Dodoma in Tanzania, one researcher tells us how his team have been working with smallholder farmers to gain a host of benefits, including improved yields, via the growing of pollinator-friendly plants in their field margins. Finally, the bug-loving Dr Eleanor Drinkwater chats with Phil Stevenson about the important links between plants and wildlife for environmental biodiversity. Subscribe to this podcast to catch up on earlier episodes of Unearthed and to enjoy a new episode every fortnight. You can find out more about the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and support their cutting-edge conservation research and training at Kew.org |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://omny.fm/shows/unearthed-mysteries-from-an-unseen-world/how-can-we-protect-pollinators |
| Description | Provided a public lecture to honey bee keepers at the UK National Honey show 2024 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Provided a public talk to the National Honey Show 2024 on the importance of wild pollinators in the UK landscape and how landscapes influence the health of bees to support resilient pollination services for food and nature. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://honeyshow.co.uk/schedule/lecture-convention/ |