MSU researchers define pollinator habitat conservation thresholds
MSU researchers identify global pollinator habitat thresholds to guide conservation in agriculture. See how these insights support growers and policymakers.
Michigan State University distinguished professor Rufus Isaacs and University of North Carolina-Greensboro assistant professor Gabriela Quinlan collaborated with researchers from 19 countries to develop a framework for guiding pollinator conservation policies in agricultural landscapes.
Published in Science magazine in September, the study analyzed data from 59 studies conducted across the world to define habitat thresholds needed to support healthy insect pollinator populations. The framework identifies how both habitat quantity and quality affect pollinator survival and can help landowners and conservation programs prioritize resources effectively.
The analysis determined that minimum habitat thresholds vary by species. In low-quality habitats, hoverflies required about 6% semi-natural habitat cover, solitary bees 16%, bumble bees 18% and butterflies 37%.
“There has been a lot of discussion about how much pollinator habitat is needed in the landscape, and ten percent is a good round number,” Isaacs said. “But the data from this study shows that we need more land than that for some of the most beneficial insects.”
The study incorporated data collected by Quinlan during her time as an MSU graduate student in the Department of Entomology. The research provides one of the most comprehensive global analyses of pollinator habitat needs to date and could inform conservation initiatives like USDA pollinator cost-share programs funded through the Farm Bill.
Read the full story in the Michigan State University website.