Pollination and Landscape

Plant-pollinator interactions may be studied at a range of spatial scales, from the dynamics of interactions within single flowers, through to foraging behaviour of pollinators on single plants and within populations, and finally up to a between-population, landscape scale. The conservation of plant-pollinator interactions is critical to the continued function of healthy ecosystems, but their dynamics at a landscape scale has only been poorly studied, largely due to the problems of scale and magnitude that face all large-scale ecological research. Our projects within this theme relate to pollinator abundance and diversity in fragmented habitats (Adrian Stott), pollinator use of linear landscape features (Dr Louise Cranmer) and its subsequent effect on plant gene flow (Dr Lizzie Cant).

Recently we have begun to look at the potential of restored landfill sites to support pollinator assemblages within the agricultural landscape of lowland England (Sam Tarrant) and their role in conserving biodiversity in general (Lutfor Rahman). This is possible thanks to funding from the SITA Environmental Trust in collaboration with the SITA Centre for Sustainable Wastes Management at the University of Northampton.

Publications

Cant,E. T. , Smith,A. D., Reynolds,D. R., and Osborne, J. L. (2005). Tracking butterfly flight paths across the landscape with harmonic radar. Proceedings of the Royal Society.) (Acrobat 682KB)

Cranmer, L., Ollerton, J. and McCollin, D. (in prep.) Landscape structure directly affects bumblebee movements and plant reproductive success. [To be submitted to Oikos - pre-print available on request]