Why pollinators are important. Learning objectives 2/9/2016. Landscaping for Pollinators by Julie Weisenhorn & Karl Foord. Landscaping for Pollinators

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1 Landscaping for Pollinators Julie Weisenhorn, Extension Educator Karl Foord, Extension Educator Learning objectives 1. Be able to explain the landscape needs of pollinators and how these needs relate human needs. 2. Identify the problems with bee sterile landscapes. 3. Identify effective landscaping techniques used to transform a bee sterile landscape to a pollinator-friendly landscape. Why pollinators are important The food web Pollinate foods Animal feed: alfalfa for dairy cows Continuity of plant species Fertilization, seed production. Diverse plant communities are more productive (Tillman, Reigh, et. al) Food, carbon storage, soil health, beautify, provide shade, animal habitat, water quality, nutrients Bees as pollinators Foord. All rights reserved. 1

2 Life with bees Life without bees Photo courtesy of Whole Foods Market Photo courtesy of Whole Foods Market Fridge Survey Almond milk mocha, hard cider, milk*, orange juice, pickles, yogurt*, apple, canola butter*, cream* bell pepper**, blueberries, eggs* POLLINATORS REQUIRED Source: Rueter, G. Impacts of ROW Management on Apiaries, MN Pesticide Information and Education, University of Minnesota Dept. of Entomology. Accessed Feb 1, *Dairy cows and chickens feed on pollinated crops. ** Bees buzzing shakes off pollen. Foord. All rights reserved. 2

3 Threats to bees Beekeepers struggle to replace losses Source: Commercial Honeybees Native bees Landscape threats to honeybees Flowerless landscapes Poor nutrition Rural, Agricultural Monocultures Urban landscapes Dominance of turf & evergreens Varroa mite Source: Dr. Marla Spivak, U of MN Foord. All rights reserved. 3

4 Varroa Mite In central California, 870,000 acres of bearing almond trees require 1.74 million colonies of honey bees for pollination. Approximately 150,000 acres are non-bearing. (2014) No bees, no nuts planbeeproject.wordpress.com Source: Rueter, G. Impacts of ROW Management on Apiaries, MN Pesticide Information and Education, University of Minnesota Dept. of Entomology. Accessed Feb 1, Bee colonies transported No bees: How far could this go? Bees are trucked in and out of a location after bloom Few flowers Pesticide applications. Photo: Singeli Agnew Photo: Business Week Foord. All rights reserved. 4

5 Native pollinators 4000 species of native bees in U.S. ~ 350 species of native bees in MN 45 species of bumble bees in U.S. 18 in Minnesota Wide range of sizes, colors, & behaviors Contributions of native bees Depending on year, crop, and farm size/location Natives may make significant contributions to the pollination of apples, blueberries, raspberries, and cucurbits Urban activities are impacting native bees Destruction of nesting areas Manicured landscapes Little tolerance for bare soil Purgatory Park Minnetonka, MN Foord. All rights reserved. 5

6 Urban activities impacting native bees Protect Bees from Pesticide Kills If there are flowers blooming, there will be bees foraging Destruction of foraging sites Reduction in lawn weeds Plants with little attraction to pollinators Pesticide application 2012 Bees Regents of opportunists the University of Minnesota. All rights with reserved. preferences # of foragers Number of foragers vs. Time of day Bees forage sun up to sun down unless it s raining On average, honey bees forage 2.5 miles from colony. Sun up Sun down Foord. All rights reserved. 6

7 Implications of foraging behavior: Awareness of what is in flower The good news Outreach Extension, classes, workshops, publications, industry, social media Photo: Education and awareness - government, industry, the public, schools, kids, nationally and internationally. Research resistant bees, colony issues, alternative lawns, organic and sustainable agriculture; pesticide laws and education. EPA New label changes Goal of label changes: Highlight measures to better protect pollinators Informative statements Mandatory requirements New label language Pollinator Protection box Bee Hazard icon Signals the pesticide s potential hazard to bees. Foord. All rights reserved. 7

8 What can we do as gardeners? How can we help others to help pollinators? Think healthy instead of perfect landscapes. Healthy landscapes: Look better longer Have more beneficial insects Pollinators & predators Healthier plants Better pest resistance - fewer pesticides Better competition against weeds Tolerate cosmetic damage Usually less expensive to maintain Less plant removal, excessive maintenance People typically want the following landscape features: Pollinator-friendly landscapes include Healthy, pest-free Attractive Continual seasonal bloom. Looks good for years. Improves property value. Meets functional needs Maintainable at a desired level Affordable Meets municipal codes Plants for pollinators Rich in nectar & pollen Species diversity Provide habitat & nesting Continuous bloom Pesticide-free Good design Create transitional areas, pollinator corridors, natural areas Best Management Practices Choose plants that will thrive in site. Avoid mowing clover during midday foraging. Adapted from: 1) Insect Pollinator Best Management Practices for Minnesota Yards and Gardens, MD, ) Evans, Elaine, Plants for Minnesota Bees, University of Minnesota Department of Entomology, 2014 edition. Foord. All rights reserved. 8

9 Goal: to create and support landscapes that benefit BOTH humans and pollinators. Avoid bee sterile landscapes Non-nutritious plants Fewer nectaries, less pollen Often flower-less Monocultures, little diversity Turf areas, ag crops Lack of seasonal bloom Due to lack of diversity Brief window of flowering Won t sustain bees through the season Techniques for establishing & maintaining healthy landscapes 1. Use proper plant selection 2. Recognize / improve habitat & nesting sites. 3. Utilize lawn alternatives 4. Create transitional landscapes 1. Use proper plant selection. Select plants that will thrive in in your site. Plant growing requirements match the site conditions Hardiness zone, soil type, light, spacing Reduces need for extra water, fertilizers Reduces plant stress Select for pest resistance to minimize pesticide use. Foord. All rights reserved. 9

10 Choose plants for pollinators Diversity of plants Variety in size, flower forms, colors, fragrance, habit. Nectar and pollen-rich plants Continual bloom from early spring late fall. Replace failed plants with pollinatorfriendly plants. Retain your landscape visual appeal Choose plants with similar characteristics form, texture, size Choose plants for the same growing conditions Consider native plants for maximum nutrition Fragrance can attract Bee colors: white, yellow, purple, blue. Resources for pollinator plants Plants for Minnesota Bees Xerxes Society: Plant Lists Great Lakes Region Plant Elements of Design plant selection database Foord. All rights reserved. 10

11 Source: Foord. All rights reserved. 11

12 Foord. All rights reserved. 12

13 2. Recognize & improve food, habitat & nesting sites. Food sources Plants rich in nectar & pollen Native plants Water sources for honey bees Nesting sites Stem nesters Habitat & nesting Fallen leaves Logs & rock piles / walls Bare soil, slopes Bee houses Hollow stems of dead plants Foord. All rights reserved. 13

14 3. Consider lawn alternatives Bee lawns Non-turf for slopes PHOTO: 77/33/c4/7733c4be19 eeea116b410706a1e 9f193.jpg Bee Lawns: Hackberry Juneberry Traditional cool season lawn grasses + lowgrowing pollinator-friendly plants Sunny slopes hard to mow Reduces mowing Use in less visible areas (back vs. front) Locate near edibles to encourage pollination More info: A Bee Lawn: How to Have an Insect Haven in Your Lawn by Dr. Mary Meyer, Yard & Garden News Blog Viburnum Arctic willow L-B honeysuckle Catmint Sedum Liatris Prairie Dropseed Prairie smoke Foord. All rights reserved. 14

15 4. Consider transitional landscapes Transitional landscapes: Blend managed areas with natural areas. Provide the professional look of a well-maintained site near entrance(s), parking, decks, patios Allows for the existence of natural areas for plants, pollinators and wildlife. Environmentally friendly fewer inputs like water, fertilizer, pesticide Transitional landscapes still require maintenance Trading turf care for ornamental care Weeding Pruning Planting & division Foord. All rights reserved. 15

16 Area 1: Traditional Landscape Area 2: Naturalized Area Area 3: Transitional Landscape Foord. All rights reserved. 16

17 AREA 1 Traditional landscape AREA 3 Transition area AREA 2 Natural area Source: Diane Hilscher, Transitional landscapes, alternatives to lawn, and choosing plants for the site are important for healthy landscapes for people and pollinators Seed Trials Identify annual flowers that attract pollinators. 4 varieties each: Salvia, marigold, zinnia, rudbeckia, snapdragon, sunflower Count and record pollinators over 8 week bloom period Training: online & at state conference Summary 1. Think healthy instead of perfect landscapes. 2. Look for ways to incorporate pollinator friendly plants and habitat into the landscape. 3. Use landscape techniques in positive ways to create healthy landscapes that meets customer expectations and pollinator needs. Foord. All rights reserved. 17

18 Resources Colors Bees See, West Mountain Apiary, Holm, Heather, Pollinators of Native Plants, Pollination Press LLC, Minnetonka, MN Insect Pollinator Best Management Practices for Minnesota Yards and Gardens, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Handout. Plants for Bees, U of M Dept. of Entomology Bee Lab, 2014, U of M Bee Lab, Handout. The Xerces Society for Insect Conservation, International, nonprofit organization that protects wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates and their habiit Watson, Ben, Hybrid or Open Pollinated, National Gardening Association, Why Bees are Disappearing by Dr. Marla Spivak, TED Talk, filmed June #t Products containing Neonicotinoids Landscaping for Pollinators Julie Weisenhorn, Extension Educator Karl Foord, Extension Educator Foord. All rights reserved. 18