Pan-european assessment, monitoring, and mitigation of stressors on the health of bees (PoshBee)
Many recent reports describe long-term declines in insects. ‘PoshBee’ aims to identify factors negatively impacting bees in European farmland, and in 2019 performed an extensive pan-European field study over 8 countries. Our recommendations for groups planning to perform similar multi-partner, farm-scale, field studies on pollinating insects are listed below.
Scientists
• Accept variation will occur among partners, but record appropriate data to be used as covariates in subsequent data analysis
• Ensure all methodological protocols are understood and are practicable for all partners
• If specialist techniques are needed, hire staff familiar with these processes or ensure staff have adequate training
• Unless additional resources are available (staff/vehicles/funding), avoid adding extra ‘side projects’ out of scope of the main project
Beekeepers
• Standardize study hives in terms of equipment, colony size etc. If possible, obtain colonies from a single source
• Beekeepers should request clear guidelines on all aspects of hive management, and what records should be maintained
• Beekeepers should maintain regular contact with project management and communicate which procedures have been performed and any pests and diseases that have been observed
Farmers
• Growers/ field sites should be located early in the planning process
• Researchers should explain what they plan to do and when, and how the farmer can help throughout the study. Farmers should explain what they require so that farm operations are not negatively impacted by the research program
• Farmers should ask what information relating to the field site and crop management is required by the research team, and then maintain appropriate, easily accessible records
PoshBee: Pan-european assessment, monitoring, and mitigation Of Stressors on the Health of BEEs
Ongoing | 2018-2023
- Main funding source
- Horizon 2020 (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
- Geographical location
- United Kingdom