Biosciences Seminar Speaker 12 May 2016

Biosciences Seminar Series - Spring 2016
12 May 2016 - 1pm - Zoology Museum

Land-use impacts on 'beeodiversity' and biodiversity: from data to models to policy

Dr Adriana De Palma

(Natural History Museum London, UK)

from: Natural History Museum London - www.nhm.ac.uk/our-science/science-news/2015/september/research-into-species-traits-could-help-save-europe-s-dying-bees.html

Abstract

Bees are one of the most important groups of pollinators and are threatened by a number of human impacts, but some key knowledge gaps limit our ability to inform conservation activities. Which species or groups of species are most vulnerable to human land use and agricultural intensification? Do different aspects of bee diversity – taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity – respond similarly to land-use pressures? Are responses consistent around the world? Where has bee diversity been most heavily impacted? 

As part of the PREDICTS project (www.predicts.org.uk), I have collated a global dataset of bee diversity from the published literature and integrated it with information on land use, species' traits and phylogeny in order to answer these questions. Whereas that work was based on spatial comparisons, my current work (on “PREDICTS v2”) directly focuses on the temporal dynamics of biodiversity in response to land-use change. Both projects have the potential to inform policy decisions, but making the link between policy needs and PREDICTS outputs can be difficult; I will outline some of the ways in which the PREDICTS project has been engaging with policy.

Hope to see many of you - everyone most welcome to attend!