Plant-pollinator biodiversity and pollination services in a complex Mediterranean landscape
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Published source details
Potts S.G., Petanidou T., Roberts S., O’Toole C., Hulbert A. & Willmer P. (2006) Plant-pollinator biodiversity and pollination services in a complex Mediterranean landscape. Biological Conservation, 129, 519-529.
Published source details Potts S.G., Petanidou T., Roberts S., O’Toole C., Hulbert A. & Willmer P. (2006) Plant-pollinator biodiversity and pollination services in a complex Mediterranean landscape. Biological Conservation, 129, 519-529.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Pollination: Plant or maintain ground cover in orchards or vineyards Action Link |
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Other biodiversity: Plant or maintain ground cover in orchards or vineyards Action Link |
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Pollination: Plant or maintain ground cover in orchards or vineyards
A replicated site comparison in 2001 in olive orchards on the island of Lesvos, Greece, found more bee species and more deposited pollen grains in managed orchards (with tilled soils and ground cover dominated by annual plants), compared to unmanaged orchards (without tilled soils, and with ground cover dominated by perennial plants). Implementation options: More pollen grains were found on Cistus salvifolius in managed orchards, compared to abandoned orchards (38 vs 27 grains/stigma), but similar numbers of pollen grains were found on Asphodelus ramosus (33 vs 30 grains/stigma). More bee species were found in managed orchards, compared to abandoned orchards (19 vs 13 species/site), but similar numbers of individuals were found (231 vs 122 individuals/site). Methods: Three managed orchards were compared to three abandoned orchards (1 ha each). Bees were surveyed three times/site in March–May (three transects/site, 20 minutes/transect). Pollen grains were counted on 100 plants from each of two wildflower species (Asphodelus ramosus, a tall, perennial herb, and Cistus salvifolius, an evergreen shrub, both with large white flowers), which were collected after each bee survey.
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Other biodiversity: Plant or maintain ground cover in orchards or vineyards
A replicated site comparison in 2001 in olive orchards on the island of Lesvos, Greece, found more species and higher cover of flowering plants in managed orchards (with tilled soils and ground cover dominated by annual plants), compared to unmanaged orchards (without tilled soils, and with ground cover dominated by perennial plants). Implementation options: More species and higher cover of flowering plants were found in managed orchards, compared to abandoned orchards (38 vs 25 species/site, 5,235 vs 770 cm2/site). Methods: Three managed orchards were compared to three abandoned orchards (1 ha each). Open flowers that could potentially be visited by bees were sampled three times/site in March–May (50 x 0.4 m transects).
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