Agricultural Biodiversity Weblog thinks that landscape agro-ecology – the study of agriculture and its biodiversity beyond the field scale – is coming of age. I agree with them.
USDA’s Conservation Assessment Effects Project has just released two extensive reviews of the effects of agricultural conservation practices – like those used in CRP and other conservation programs (public announcement here). Part A addresses terrestrial habitats and Part B addresses aquatic habitats. Even better is the dynamic bibliography.
More pollinator resources from the Xerces Society have been added to the Pollinator Manuals page. The updates are listed below.
Pollinators in Natural Areas: A Primer on Habitat Management.
Pollinator-friendly Parks. How to enhance parks, gardens and other greenspaces for native pollinator insects.
Making Room for Native Pollinators: How to Create Habitat for Pollinator Insects on Golf Courses.
EPA has resources for landscaping with native plants in the Great Lakes states. Good resources for attracting bees and butterfiles to your yard.
The Pollinator Partnership is creating detailed guides for planting and landscaping to support pollinators (bees, butterflies, etc.) in agricultural lands, gardens and backyards. Download a detailed book for each ecological region of the US HERE.
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service has catalouged (and linked!) a myriad of resources for managing pollinators in agricultural landscapes. Includes job sheets and fact sheets..many are state specific.
“At the American dinner table, about one bite in three depends on bees. “ A Philadelphia Enquirer article about how native bees may save agriculture.
36% of the commercial bee hives were lost last year, according to a story on CNN. Here are some practical guidelines from the Xerces Society for supporting and conserving native bees and their habitat – Farming for Bees
