Hymenoptera: Apoidea) Habitat in Agroecosystems Morgan Mackert Iowa State University
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Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Graduate Theses and Dissertations Dissertations 2019 Strategies to improve native bee (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) habitat in agroecosystems Morgan Mackert Iowa State University Follow this and additional works at: https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/etd Part of the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons, and the Entomology Commons Recommended Citation Mackert, Morgan, "Strategies to improve native bee (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) habitat in agroecosystems" (2019). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 17255. https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/etd/17255 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Dissertations at Iowa State University Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Iowa State University Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Strategies to improve native bee (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) habitat in agroecosystems by Morgan Marie Mackert A thesis submitted to the graduate faculty in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE Major: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Program of Study Committee: Mary A. Harris, Co-major Professor John D. Nason, Co-major Professor Robert W. Klaver The student author, whose presentation of the scholarship herein was approved by the program of study committee, is solely responsible for the content of this thesis. The Graduate College will ensure this thesis is globally accessible and will not permit alterations after a degree is conferred. Iowa State University Ames, Iowa 2019 Copyright © Morgan Marie Mackert, 2019. All rights reserved ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................... iv ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................... vi CHAPTER 1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION ...................................................................1 Background ......................................................................................................................1 Hypotheses .......................................................................................................................7 Objectives ........................................................................................................................8 Literature Cited ................................................................................................................9 CHAPTER 2. PROVISIONING NESTING SUBSTRATE AND FLORALLY DIVERSE CONTOUR BUFFER AND FITLER STRIPS ARE BOTH PRACTICES SHOWN TO IMPROVE NATIVE BEE (HYMENOPTERA: APOIDEA) HABITAT IN AGROECOSYSTEMS ............................................................................................12 Abstract ..........................................................................................................................12 Introduction ....................................................................................................................13 Materials and Methods ...................................................................................................16 Study Sites ................................................................................................................. 16 Bee Habitat Evaluation .............................................................................................. 18 Bee Sampling and Identification ............................................................................... 19 Bare Soil Nesting Plots .............................................................................................. 20 Data Analysis ............................................................................................................. 22 Evaluation of bee collection methods .................................................................... 22 Bee abundance and richness ................................................................................... 22 Bee habitat evaluation ............................................................................................ 23 Bee guild analyses .................................................................................................. 24 Bare soil nesting plots ............................................................................................ 24 Results ............................................................................................................................25 Study Sites ................................................................................................................. 25 Evaluation of Bee Collection Methods ...................................................................... 26 Bee Abundance and Richness .................................................................................... 26 Bee Habitat Evaluation .............................................................................................. 27 Bare Soil Nesting Plots .............................................................................................. 28 Bee Guild Analyses ................................................................................................... 29 Discussion ......................................................................................................................30 Tables and Figures .........................................................................................................36 Tables......................................................................................................................... 36 Figures ....................................................................................................................... 52 Literature Cited ..............................................................................................................56 iii CHAPTER 3. USING PLANT-BEE NETWORKS TO INFORM LAND MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MAINTAINING BIODIVERSITY .......................................................................................................................................63 Abstract ..........................................................................................................................63 Introduction ....................................................................................................................64 Materials and Methods ...................................................................................................68 Study Sites and Floral Surveys .................................................................................. 68 Bee Sampling and Identification ............................................................................... 68 Pollen Preparation and Identification ........................................................................ 69 Plant-Bee Interaction Analyses ................................................................................. 70 Results ............................................................................................................................70 Study Sites and Floral Surveys .................................................................................. 70 Bee Sampling and Identification ............................................................................... 71 Pollen Preparation and Identification ........................................................................ 71 Plant-Bee Interaction Analysis .................................................................................. 72 Discussion ......................................................................................................................73 Tables and Figures .........................................................................................................76 Tables......................................................................................................................... 76 Figures ....................................................................................................................... 83 Literature Cited ..............................................................................................................85 CHAPTER 4. GENERAL CONCLUSIONS ....................................................................89 Summary ........................................................................................................................89 Literature Cited ..............................................................................................................92 iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would first like to acknowledge and thank Dr. Mary Harris for the unfailing and unconditional support she provided to me throughout my time as a member of her lab, both as an undergraduate student and as a graduate student. Without her encouragement, I would never have dreamed of obtaining a graduate degree. She has guided me through my time at Iowa State University while continuously setting an example as a leader, coach, and woman in science. As my mentor, Dr. Harris has taught me more about how to be a good scientist than I can express gratitude for. However, her generosity didn’t extend only to science. From teaching me how to knit to lending an ear during difficult times, Dr. Harris has shown me, by her example, how to be a good person. I will never be able to show enough appreciation for all she has done for me. I would also like to thank my second