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<font size=2>Blaauw, B. R. and R. Isaacs (2014). "Flower plantings
increase wild bee abundance and the pollination services provided to a
pollination-dependent crop." <u>Journal of Applied Ecology</u>
<b>51</b>(4): 890-898.<br>
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Pollination services from wild insects contribute to crop productivity
around the world, but are at risk of decline in agricultural landscapes.
Using highbush blueberry as a model system, we tested whether wildflower
plantings established adjacent to crop fields would increase the
abundance of wild pollinators during crop bloom and enhance pollination
and yield. <br>
<dd>* Plantings were seeded in 2009 with a mix of 15 perennial wildflower
species that provided season-long bloom and increased plant density and
floral area during the subsequent 3 <br>
<dd>* Honeybees visiting blueberry flowers had similar abundance in
enhanced and control fields in all 4of this study, whereas wild bee and
syrphid abundance increased annually in the fields adjacent to wildflower
plantings. <br>
<dd>* Crop pollination parameters including percentage fruit set, berry
weight and mature seeds per berry were significantly greater in fields
adjacent to wildflower plantings 3 and 4after seeding, leading to higher
crop yields and with the associated revenue exceeding the cost of
wildflower establishment and maintenance. <br>
<dd>* Synthesis and applications. We suggest that provision of forage
habitat for bees adjacent to pollinator-dependent crops can conserve wild
pollinators in otherwise resource-poor agricultural landscapes. Over
time, these plantings can support higher crop yields and bring a return
on the initial investment in wildflower seed and planting establishment,
also insuring against loss of managed pollinators. Further understanding
of the importance of planting size, location and landscape context will
be required to effectively implement this practice to support crop
pollination.<br><br>
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