Browsing by Author "Kopec, Kelsey"

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    Comparing Apis Mellifera and Bombus spp. Pollination Efficiencies on Willamette Valley Blueberry Farms
    (University of Oregon, 2013-05-14) Daly, Keane; Pacheco, Miguel; Poplack, Aaron; Maxon, Meagan; Johnson, Chelsea; Whitcomb, Amanda; Kopec, Kelsey; Cypel, Bret; Ward, Lauren
    With global honeybee populations declining there is a concern for the reproduction of plants that rely on biotic pollination, most notably food crops. The purpose of this study was to monitor the behavior and population size of bumblebees (Bombus spp.) and European honeybees (Apis mellifera) on Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) farms in the Willamette Valley, Oregon. We evaluated the effects of farm size and bloom time on the pollination efficiency of each species. To make our assessments, we observed their floral handling rates, defined as the number of flowers visited per minute by a single bee, and took population samples, by walking systematically-sampled transects on each farm. Floral handling rate for bumblebees and honeybees was proportional across our two primary variables, with honeybees pollinating an average of 3.5 flowers per minute and bumblebees pollinating 11.2 flowers per minute. Across all farms, honeybees had a total of 1746 counts while bumblebees had only 300, providing a ratio of 5.8:1. Although honeybees were more abundant than bumblebees, there was only an apparent relationship between population counts and bloom time. Data from floral handling rates and abundance counts during mid bloom showed honeybees were three times more abundant than bumblebees, however, bumblebees were more effective pollinators, as measured by bee efficiency rate. Overall, the study indicated the essential role of bumblebees in the pollination of Highbush Blueberry plants.
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    Monitoring Bee Pollination Services on Willamette Valley Vaccinium Farms
    (University of Oregon, 2012-06-10) Poplack, Aaron; Kopec, Kelsey; Johnson, Chelsea; Pacheco, Miguel; Daly, Keane; Cypel, Bret; Maxon, Meagan; Whitcomb, Amanda; Ward, Lauren
    The purpose of this study was to monitor the behavior and population counts of Bombus spp. and Apis mellifera on Vaccinium farms in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. With global pollinator populations declining there is a concern for the reproduction of plants that rely on biotic pollination, most notably food crops. Through this study we obtained a better understanding of the role each genus plays within pollination services. This research project had two separate studies: first, to monitor behavior through observing the number of Vaccinium flowers pollinated per minute per bee, also described as floral handling rate. We observed three Bombus and three Apis along each transect, following as they moved from flower to flower. The second study was to monitor bee populations in order to establish a comparison between Apis and Bombus presence.
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    Pollinator Conservation Plan for the Berggren Demonstration Farm
    (University of Oregon, 2012-06-10) Poplack, Aaron; Kopec, Kelsey; Johnson, Chelsea; Pacheco, Miguel; Daly, Keane; Cypel, Bret; Maxon, Meagan; Whitcomb, Amanda; Ward, Lauren
    The Sustainable Farms Team, as a part of the University of Oregon’s Environmental Leadership Program (ELP), created this Pollinator Conservation Plan to provide the Berggren Demonstration Farm with a comprehensive guide to managing its property for pollinators. Its intent is to direct the Berggren Demonstration Farm (Demo Farm) in creating and implementing bee friendly habitat and farm management practices to promote increased pollination services. The plan includes management techniques and methods to conserve pollinators by providing recommendations for both nesting habitat and a food source.