The Boulder County Parks and Open Space Department offers grants for research on county open space lands each year. All proposals are reviewed by a team of resource specialists, and awarded research projects are monitored during their activities on open space.
Bumblebees
The following is a summary of a 2013 study conducted by Carol Ann Kearns and Diana Oliveras from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Their project monitored bumblebee populations in Boulder County.
Introduction
Bumblebees are crucial pollinators of both crops and native wildflowers. Thus, it is alarming that significant bumblebee declines have been documented in many parts of the world (Williams et al. 2009, Williams and Osborne 2009). Declines appear to be related to a wide variety of factors including anthropogenic habitat change, nesting site availability, loss of overwintering habitat, pesticide use, and parasites (Kearns and Thomson 1994, Goulson et al. 2005, Evans et al. 2009). We have extensive records dating from the early 1900s that indicate what species occur locally in Boulder County. However, we do not have abundance data from the past. Our research team is documenting abundance of these species through systematic sampling to evaluate the status of bumblebees at several elevations along the Front Range (see 2012 Final Report for details). Our findings will provide insight into demographic changes in bumblebee populations that then can be applied to conservation management. Not only can this population information be used as baseline data for Boulder County, but it can be compared with information from other locales throughout the US.
Summary
Bumblebees are crucial pollinators of both crops and wildflowers. Declines in bumblebees in those areas where they have been extensively monitored are a cause for concern and reflect a bigger trend of pollinator declines in Research on Boulder County’s Open Space Lands North America. Since there are minimal data on bumblebee abundance on the Front Range, this project is important in assessing the local conservation status of these important pollinators. We plan to continue monitoring bumblebee populations through 2014.
More Research Reports
Our Research Library has over over 110 research articles. Check them out!